m 



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MK>y>^ 




Qass_ 
Book^ 






OFKIOIAI, liONATION. 



An Invitation to Immigrants. 






LOUISIANA: 



ITS PRODUCTS, SOIL AND CLIMATE, 



AS SHOWX BY 



Northern and Western Men, 



WHO NOW RESIDE IN THIS STATE. 



Published by the Bureau of Immigration. 



BATON ROUGE: 

THE ADVOCATE, OFFICIAL JOURNAL OP LOUISIANA. 
1^94. 



\y 



4P 





27 



80334 



18 NOV1905 
D. otD, 



co:isrTEnsrTS. 

• Pages 

5-11 

I. Introductory Remarks 

19-17 
.. Speech of Gov. Foster 

18_9S 

3. Description of Loiiisiana 

• 1- 99-79 

4. Description of eacli Parish -' 

5. Railroads in the State and the parishes through which they pass 80-85 

6. Health and Climate 

7. Statements of Prominent Men from other States 100 

8. Sugar, Cotton, Rice, Tobacco, Stock-raising, Timber, etc 101-118 

120 

9. New Orleans 

9 
10. I'r -ate Lands 

II. Ho- lestead on United States Government Lands— Cost of Entry . 121-122 

12. ^^^' •' ed States Lands— Amount in each parish 123 

13. i I 3 Public Lands— Homestead and Costs of Entry— Price of 

, tate Lands and quantity 

124 

14. Lt 'e: of State Register 

15. H. estead Law, Making Property to the Value of $2000 Exempt 

irom Seizure for Debt ^■-* 

16. Ext options from Taxation "^ 

17. Witi w's and Laborer's Privileges 

18. Exeraptions in Favor of Tenant 126-12/ 

1 97 

19. Exen ■ '^ions from Seizure for Debt 

20. Publi< schools ^•'' ^"^^ 

^, ,, T 131 

21. Game Laws 

22. Extracts i. um Proceedings of the Midsummer Convention 133-174 

23. Names and Address of Delegates 1''^ 



Typographical and Grammatical Errors on Pages 

5, 6, 18. 23 24, 29. 39, 41. 42, 43, 44. 45, 47, 48, 53, 56, 58, 61, 70. 82. 88, & 109. 



NTRODUCTORY. 



This \)iwplilet is submitted to the candid consideratiou of 
the people / the Northern, Western and Middle States and to 
those of Eiippe, who desire to change their homes or to invest 
capital in xL' South. 

The tftimony given as to the advantages of Louisiana is 
that of No^ern and Western men who have lived in the State 
and haveheir homes here, as well as statements made by dis- 
tino'uisheNorthern men who have recently visited the State, all 
of whom in be found by any one doubting the statements made 
herein, f^^l^^ address of every one is given in this pamphlet. 

Th^escriptions of the State and parishes are taken from 
Yarious^rces. The former commissioners, Messrs. Harris and 
Poole, |of. Lockett and others have been consulted, and in 
some iilntes the language of these gentlemen has been adopted, 
the obt being to give as clear and concise description as pos- 
sible, '<'e being limited. 

ijmain object in submitting these facts to the people of 
the I^li ^iitl West, is to remove the erroneous opinions enter- 
tainw people away from Louisiana, as to the health and 
climfof the State. 

It the soil is of the finest quality, no one will dispute and 
anjf rea^ling the statements made here, by men of standing, 
all jvhom are from other States, will be convinced beyond 
(loith at almost every crop that can be grown in the Northern 
aniGstern States, can be raised in Louisiana with less labor 
an>re abundantly, than in the States where these gentlemen 
haeir former homes. 

s to the health and climate, we give the statement of Mr. 

slrt, of New York, who was the representative of the Mutual 

fnsurance Company of New York, and whose business 



8TATE OF LOUISIANA. 



required liim to have an accurate knowledge of the health- 
statistics of the State. ^ 

Dr. J. D. (rraybill, who is a native of Ohio, gi^es his experi- 
ence as a physician, after many years residence aid practice of 
his profession in the State. He is now a resident)f the city of 
New Orleans. 

The certificate of Dr. Olliphant, of the Board oHealth sets 
forth facts from most authentic sources. 

From the testimony of these gentlemen, Louisiia, in point 
of health, is superior to most and inferior to no oler State of 
the Union. 

We have the official statements of Capt. R. E. Irkam the 
Director of the Louisiana Weather service. As tcHmate he 
says Hlie figures speak for themselves and emphasize t> fact that 
Louisiana's climate is unrivaled by any State in the UihJ' 

The testimony of Hon, Robert Lincoln, Ex-Minis- to Eno-. 
land, and of President Fish, of the Illinois Central ra)ad, who 
were in the State a few weeks ago, on a pleasure trip, ^^ what 
these distinguished men think of the State and the fu^e pros- 
pects of the city of N^ew Orleans. 

We also have a plain statement from F. L. MaxwelJ)rmerly 
of Indiana and now a large cotton planter of Madis(parish». 
He states clearly what can be done in his section, >aising 
stock. 

We have Prof. Stubbs, a Virginian, who gives a r ^nd 
convincing statement as to what quality and quantity cbacco 
can be raised in the State, the experience of Mr. J. t). ybill 
of Akron, Ohio, as to products in Caddo and adjoining ishes 
with statements of various other Western men. 

Henry G. Hester, Secretary of the New Orleans Co Ex- 
change, in his statement says, that, according to the :vt of 
the United States Agricultural Department, 640,000 ^ of 
cotton were grown on 1,158,000 acres, or say an averagt the 
entire State of about sixty-four one hundredths to t"bre. 
This would place Louisiana about the same as Texas an(ian 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. Z 

Territory; tweuty-two pounds ahead of Aukausas and fifty-six: 
ahead of Mississippi. Compared with the above an average of. 
151 pounds per acre for Georgia, 164 for the Carolinas and 172. 
for Alabama. In the best cotton sections, a bale to the acre is 
not an unusual crop and a bale and a half is often made, and 
all without fertilizing. 

Mr. Hester also gives the statement ot Dan Talmage's Sons,, 
of New York, as to the rice products. This statement showB 
that Louisiana produces more rice than 2^orth and South Caro- 
lina and Georgia combined. 

We have also shown the greater protit in sugar planting 
and the present advantage to small planters, owing to the central 
sugar houses. 

The extent and variety of timber in the State is well and 
«learly stated by Mr. W. P. Curtis and Mr. Watson Jones, both 
experienced lumbermen. 

The Article on Louisiana by Mr. H. H. Baker will show 
what can be done by proper management, in raising oranges. 

The oyster industry is ably discussed by Col. Zacharie. 

I have given a portion of the proceedings of the Midsummer 
Convention, held a few years ago in the city of New Orleans, 
during the month of August, our hottest month: The proceed- 
ings of this convention, composed exclusively of Northern and 
Western men, who now have their homes in this State, ought to- 
convince the aiost skeptical, that the soil and climate of Loa- 
isiana has no superior in the United States. 

The addresses of twenty- one delegates is given in full. 
These gentlemen are from different Northern and Western States, 
and now live in different portions of the State, their postoflSce 
address is given, so that any one can write to them wlio desires 
further information. 

It will be seen from the statements given as to railroads and 
navigable waters, that out of the fifty-nine parishes in the Statey 
forty-seven have railroads. Of the other twelve, two are within 
ten miles, seven within six miles and two within three miles of a 



STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



railroad line. Of rivers and lakes, there are nineteen rivers and 
twenty-two bayous and lakes that are navigable. 

All the parishes except two have either navigable waters or 
railroads. 

The Illinois Central System passes through ten parishes. 

The Queen and Crescent System i)asaes through eleven 
parishes. 

The Louisville and Nashville railroad passes through three 
parishes. 

The Texas Pacific Eoute passes through sixteen parishes. 

The Southern Pacific railway passes through fifteen parishes. 

The New Orleans, Fort Jackson and Grand Isle railroad 
passes through two parishes. 

The Mississippi Terre au Bceuf and Lake railroad passes 
through three parishes. 

The Kansas City, Watkins and Gulf railroad passes through 
three parishes. 

The Houston, Central Arkansas and Northern railroad 
passes through six parishes. 

The Shreveport and Houston railroad passes through two 
parishes. 

The St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas railroad passes through: 
one parish. 

The New Orleans and Northwestern railroad passes througlt 
five parishes. 

The Baton Rouge, Grosse Tete and Opelousas railroad 
passes through two parishes. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The State Constitution provides for the maintenance of 
public schools. It provides for an annual poll-tax and declares 
that there shall be free, public schools established throughout 
the State and that the General Assembly shall provide for their 
maintenance and support. 

It declares in what the schools funds shall consist. 



BUREAU OF IjVrvnGRATIOX. 



The Constitution also provides for the maiutenauce of the 
University of Louisiana, located in Xew Orleans and the Lou- 
isiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical Col- 
lege, located in the city of Baton Rouge. 

The number of public schools, the number of teachers and 
the salary of each, as well as extracts from the Constitution will 
be found under head of schools. 

PRIVATE LANDS FOR SALE. 

There are about 10,000,000 acres of private lauds for sale 
which can be bought for from $1.25 to $50.00 per acre, and on 
very easy terms, by persons coming with their families to make 
the State their home. 

These lands can be bought in tracts of from ten acres 
upwards. 

The land is suitable for all kinds of agriculture, nearly every 
variety of fruit, truck and garden products and for raising stock. 

UNITED STATES PUBLIC LANDS. 

The United States Homestead laws gives the right to any 
citizen to enter 100 acres of United States public lands and the 
only cost is at the rate of $18.00 for 160 acres, at the time of 
entering and at the time of making final proof $8.00 for 160 
acres ; for 80 acres one-half this amount, and for 40 acres one- 
fourth the amount. 

The party who enters land under the homestead laws, can, 
alter a residence of fourteen months, purchase the property at 
government prices, in case he does not desire to comply furthei 
with the homestead laws. See extracts of the laws. 

STATE PUBLIC LANDS. 

There are over 3,000,000 acres of State public lands. These 
can be bought at the pri<;e of 75 cents per acre, and the swamp 
lauds, unfit for cultivation, for 12^ cents per acre. The costs of 
the Register office is given. These lands can be entered under 
the State homestead laws, without price or cost, except the cotst 
t 



10 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



of advertising', which is shown by extnK!t of the law. See letter 
«f Capt. Lanier, State Land Kcgisto'.-. 

Article 207 of the State Constitution exempts from taxation 
the capital, machinery and other property of manufacturers, 
.showing the intention to foster and encourage manufactories. 

EXEMPTIONS FROM SEIZUKE. 

Our laws exempt certaui articles of clothing, bedding, etc., 
from seizure in favor of lessee or tenant. 

The law also exempts certain other articles from seizure for 
debt. 

The law provides for certain privilege's in favor of widows 
and orphans. 

Extracts from tliese laws, showing the exemptions and privi- 
leges are given. 

STATE HOMESTEADS. 

Article 210 of the State Constitution provides for a home- 
stead to the amount of $2,000, which is exempt from seizure and 
sale by any process whatever, to any head of a family having a 
family, or persons dependent on him for supi)ort. 

AS TO OVERFLOW. 

It is only a portion of the alluvial parishes that is subject to 
overflow and these parishes constitute only one-sixth of the State; 
iiU the rest of the State is entirely (Vce from overfl<>w, the sec- 
tions subject to it are only overflowed occasionally, and that only 
'When the levees break. 

There have been periods of four or Ave years in succession 
-when there was no overflow whatever. 

WHITES AND BLACKS. 

The rehition between the whites and bla<!ks is now the most 
'jQriendly. There is seldom a personal difticulty between a white 
aian and a black. These difficulties occur nnu;h oftcner between 
persons of the same race. The main reason for this is the respect 
the black man in Louisiana has for the wldte; it is the result of 



BUREAT' OF IMMIGRATION. 11 



liabit and custom. The black man, with rare exception, lireatsi 
the white man with uniform respect. 

The bhicks are mostly located in the alluvial lands, and, as a 
class, I believe they are better satisfied -, fiire better and have 
more property of their own than any people of similar education 
-a.nd intelligence in the world. The relations between them and 
their employers who own the land is most friendly. , 

HIGH PARISHES. 

In the high, flat and hill parivshes a large portion is culti- 
Tated entirely by the whites and although in these parishes 
where where white and black labor are botli used, there is no 
trouble between them for the reason already stated, that as a 
rule in Louisiana, the black man respects the wliite and concedes 
his superiority. 

In many portions of these parishes, theje are no blacks at 
all, and lands there can be bought by colonies or families, where 
they will never come in contact with the black unless they so 
•desire. 

The testimony as to climate, health, products, etc., and as 
to the manner in whicli strangers who desire to settle in the 
State are received, is all from former residents of other States 
who now reside in Louisiana, and any one who will read the 
addresses of these men, ought to be convinced that the climate, 
health and soil of Louisiana are inferior to none, and in all com- 
bined, equalled by few if any of the other States of the Union. 

The desire of the people of Louisiana to have people from 
other States come here and make the State their home, is shown 
most conclusively by efforts that have been made. The Gov- 
ernor of the State himself has taken the leading part and it was 
the Governor who had the Gonvention called last Mardi, the only 
obje(!t being to encourage and promote immigration. The Gov- 
ernor's speech is given in this pamphlet and ought to convince 
the most skeptical, of the desire to encourage immigration, 
("'ov. Foster's speech is given in full. 



12 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



FKO.AI 

LOUISIA!^ IMMIGRATION CONVENTION, 

MARCH 21, 22 AND 28, 1893. 
REMARKS OF GrOV. FOSTER. 

Gov. Foster said : 

Mr. Chair man, Ladies and (ientlemeii — The most casual observer of pass- 
ing events cannot fill to recognize the fact that most, if not all, of the 
Southern States, are to-day devoting their energies to the develo])ment of 
their material interests and industrial capabilities. All the States are ear- 
nestly and diligently moving on the line. As a means of accomjilishing this 
end, the consensus of enlightened opinion points to the investment of foreign 
capital and the introduction of white inniiigrants. For years the tide ol" 
immigration has di'ifted Westward, running in parallel lines from East to 
West. As a result of this movenumt a vast and magnificent em]»ire has 
grown up from the plains of the West' and a brave, patiotic and intelligent 
population, rivaling in intelligence, wealth and refinement the people of any 
country, contributing to make this portion of the Union noted for its far- 
reaching power and influence. 

Prior to the Avar the people of the South, on account of the institution of 
slavery, cared little or nothing for white settlers in any numbers. Immedi- 
ately after the war the causes which tended to check the How of white 
immigration to the South were many and manifest. The bitterness and 
prejudice of civil strife were deep and fresh in the mind of the people;' sec- 
tional feeling and partisan hatred ran high, while gloom and desolation 
and almost despair hung lik e apall over the prospects of the Southern people, 
who, bankrupt in fortune and broken in hopes, were almost appalled at the 
new conditions which confronted them. The struggle for constitutional 
liberty and self-government Avas frequently marked by social disturbances 
and political convulsions, Avhich tended to destroy confidence in the enforce- 
ment of laAvs and the law-abiding character of our peojjle. Now, however, a 
new generation has groAvn up, sectionalism is dying oi\t, the bitterness and 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 



passions of civil strife, are passing away, and we can truly say to-day we 
have but one Union and one jjeople, and to the new generation, as well as to 
those who wore the gray, the Union of to-day is as dear as to those who wore 
the blue. 

As an evidence of the deep and commanding interest taken by our public 
men in the question of immigration. I will but instance, the movement 
inaugurated by Gov. Fishback, of Arkansas, calling a convention of Southern 
Governors and representative Southern men to meet at Kichmoud, for the 
purpose of giving force and energy and life to a general movement whereby 
capital can be induced to seek investment and immigrants homes iu our 
midst. He Avrites me that he is earnestly and cordially supported in this 
movement by most of the Southern Governors, and he is encouraged iu the 
belief and hope that great good will I'esult from this convention. 

Feeling, therefore, that this is an earnest, concerted and intelligent 
effort being made on the part of our Southern States iu this direction, and 
knowing that our State is in need of both capital and immigration and know- 
ing that no State in the Union offers more advantages to immigrants, or 
safer security for cai>ital, I thought it my duty to the people of our State to 
call this convention. It is called in the interest of no section or locality, nor 
is it contemplated that any special set or class is to benefit by its action. 
Looking over this body, I see the repi-esentative business men of every sec- 
tion of this State, and I am encouraged to believe from your presence here 
that the Avhole State is actively interested in your deliberations and the 
result of your labor. 

No one can expect this body of itself to acccnnplish at this meeting the 
desired end, but by the bringing together and the interchange of views of 
our best citizens interested in the future advancement and development of 
our State, certainly much good can be accomplished. With the adjournment 
of this convention ought to begin a series of efforts, inuivdual and organized, 
on the part of the State and local authorities, such as will bring before the 
country, both at home and aV>road, the real worth and the many attractions 
of this State. It will not do simply to have a few eloquent speeches, pass a 
set of high-sounding resolutions and then adjourn; but you are expected to 
inaugurate some practical method and to adopt some feasible plan for the 
accomplishment of the piirposes for which you have been convened. \\Tiat 
we want, what we must have, in order to keep pace Avith the march of 
events, is capital and intelligent white immigrants, thereby adding to the 
productive wealth and energies of our people. Capital to encourage and 
build up new enterprises and new industries, and to open up new avenues of 
trade. Capital to rehabilitate our waste places; to establish factories for 
the conversion of our raw material into marketable commodities ; our cotton 
into cloth ; our cane into sugar, and the wealth of our forests into lumber 



14 STATE OF LOUISIAIvA. 

and marketable articles. Safe iuvestmeuts and sure and remunerative 
returns are here guaranteed to the capitalists. Rice mills, oil mills, cotton 
and sugar factories and saw mills can be located almost in the field whore 
tlie raw material is grown or the forest where the tree.^ are felled. 

The good immigrant wants a healthy climate, good soil, good govern- 
ment and full and untrammeled f)pportunities for moral development and 
iutellectual growth. Onr State, I believe I can safely say, meets in full 
these requirements and conditions. Our climate is salubrious, our soil rich 
and fertile, and almost boundless in the variety of its products. Our laws 
are enforced, and every facility for moral and intellectual training can 
be had. 

The two conspicuous causes which in the past have greatly retarded and 
checked the tide of immigration to our ttatc, have practically disappeared. 
The overflows from the Mississippi and yellow fever scourges are virtually 
dangers of the past. It can now safely be said that under an efficietit levee 
system and by skill and science, the waters of the Missisvsippi can be prac- 
tically confined within the channel of that rivei*,. The levees are to-day 
higher, broader and stronger than ever known in the history of this country 
and the fact that last year they withstood the enormous pressure of one of 
the highest floods within the records of that river, with practically no cre- 
vasses within their long stretch, demonstrates the practicability and the 
success of the levee system. 

The introduction of yellow fever to this country can be prevented by a 
rigid and efficient quarantine sjstem, and this fact is amply illustrated by 
the experience of the last decade. With the freedom from yellow fever no 
State can exhibit a better health record than ours. Scarlet fever, diphtheria, 
typhoid fevers, pneumonia and kindred diseases seldom if ever assume 
epidemic form, and the mortality tables compare favorably with those of 
any other people. Our climate is genial and salut)rious, and statistics 
remove all doubts and misgivings upon that (luestion. Mr. Kerkam, the 
able and efficient director of the Southern Weather Service, has kindly fur- 
nished me a chart detailing the seasons in Louisiana as determined by the 
records in his office for the last twentj' years; as an impartial and competent 
authority, he declares that no State in the Union can make as good a climatic 
showing. According to this chart, North Louisiana in .summer has a normal 
mean temperature of ?S0 : sunshine averages 60 iier cent, and the rainfall ten 
to sixteen inches. South Louisiana in the summer has a normal mean tem- 
yierature of 80- ; sunshine averages .'iS ])er cent, and the rainfall varies from 
fifteen inches in the eastern half to less than nineteen inches in the western 
half. North Louisiana in winter has an average temperature of slightly 
over r>0 degrees; suiishiiu' averages 4.!> per cent, and the precipitation aver- 
ages fifteen inches. 



BtTRRA-U OF IMMIGrKATION. 15 



An examination of this record discloses the fact that in this State the 
ftiiiner can work nearly th«> entire year, while in other portions of the conn- 
try luen and hcasts are imprisoned for months by barriers of snow and ice, 
with scarcely six out of the twelve months to labor; hei-e the farmer can 
work the whole year and receive remunerative return from the soil for his 
labor. l)nrini>- most, if not all_. the winter, horned stock, she^^p and hogs, 
will live without .shelter upon the native growth of the forest and the grasses 
of the field. Loss of crop from untimely frosts and freezes or from continu- 
ous drouths is seldom exi)erienced. Successive crops from the same land in 
the same year are usual occurrences. The bottom lands of the Ouachita, the 
Ked and Black river.s, the alluvial lauds of the Mississippi, the prairies of 
Southwest Louisiana, and the Jiill lands of North Louisiana, all yield hand- 
i?ome and grateful nttnrns for honest labor. Caiie, cotton, corn, rice, pota- 
toes and grain of nearly every description, are safe and staple products of 
these lauds. Fruits and vegetables of every variety indigenous to a tem- 
perate latitude, can be eultivMted profitably and successfully and be ready 
for maricet and shijjment when the greater portion of this country is still 
wrapped in snow and ice. 

Our State atfoids remarkable and uausual facilities for the transporta- 
tion of freight and the coji%'enoences of tr.avel. Navigable streams and water 
courses intersect every portion of her territory and railroad.s open up ready 
Tind easy communie.ition to the rest of tlu' world. On the banks of these 
streams and on the lines of these roa«is stand the magnificent cypress swamf 
and forests of pine and rare timber, while in almost every section and locality 
there are thousands of acres of rich and fertile lands lying in idleness and ' 
waste, ready to respond with rich crops to the touch of thrift and intelligent 
liusbandry. 

The constitutional limitation of taxation for all purposes is six mills, 
and with a moderate assessment of property iii the country this tax is amply 
sufficient to defray the runniug expenses of the government, to meet promptly 
the maturing__ interest of the .State debt, and to support handsomely our 
public and charitable institutions. 

Our puldio schools are annually imf)roviug in efficiency, in service and 
iu the duration of their .scssion.s, and we can reasonably hope that wihiu a 
few years the facilities for a good jjublic school education will be placed 
within the reach of everj' child within the borders of this State. While our 
schools have not reached a degrei; of perfection, yet all fair-minded men 
must admit that the advance in that direction is both encouraging and satis- 
factory. All must admit that there is a live, active and intelligent interest 
taken in every locality in the State in educational matters. This fact is 
hapi>ily illustrated in the additional appropriatiojis which have been made 
hy the police juries of the dift'erent parishes during the last decade. In 1882, 



10 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

in round nniubors, the police jnries througliont the State appicipiiatcfl for 
school purposes $38,000. In 1883, $53,000; in 1881, $57,000; in 1885, $61,000; 
in 1887, $68,000; in 1888, $79,000; in 1889, |98,000; in 1890, $99,000; in 1891. 
.^110,000. The Superintendent of rublic Education tells me that he expects 
this sum to be handsomely increased during the present year. This appro- 
priation is voluntary on the part of police juries, and evidences a commend- 
ble interest in the educational advancement of oui" children. There is every 
reason to believe that within the next few years our public school system 
will rank favorably Avith that of of any other State in the South. 

I haA'c thus briefly outlined some of the many advantages which this 
State offers for the investment of capital, and for homes for the immi<j;rant. 
I would like to have have gone more in detail and dwelt mor<^ in facts and 
figures, but tlie jiressure of official business prevented Tiie from doing so. 
This convention, however, composed as it is of influential and intelligent 
men from difterent portions of this State, should adopt some practical means 
of advertising our wonderful resources and of carrying this information to 
the capitalist and the honest immigra-nt. Pam])hlets and circulars, showing 
facts and tigures, should be secured and distributed throughout the State, in 
difterent parishes and different districts, should be eftected aiid should work 
and co-oi^erate with the immigration department of the State, or with the 
central body created by this conventitm. These local organizations should 
procure and have ready all information necessary to be furnished; lists of 
lands to be sold in their localities, together with prices, tei'ms and conditions 
of sale, should always be ready for free distribution and in the hands of the 
central organizations. I throw out these suggestions with a hope that you 
will formulate some practical plan Ibi' accomplishing the end we all have in 
view. 

Gentlemen, we have every incentive to action and unrenjittiug effort in 
this direction. We have a State that is great in everj" sense of the word, 
great in its soil, great in its boundless resources and great in its potential 
possibilities. We have committed to our keeping the constituent elements 
for the establishment and develojim mt of an empire rich in everything that 
should make a people proud iind happy. It is true that we of this Srate 
suftered — and suffered grievously — in the past. War and pestilence and 
floods, political strife and discord, have done much to retard our progress; 
but, thank God, at last a now era has dawned ui)on our State and the morn- 
ing light of a bright luture cheers our people. The. war. with all its trials, 
tribulations and troubles, is now a sacred and hallowed memory. The floods 
have been stayed, the pestilence j>ractically conquered, and theA'oiceofa 
united people speaks: -'Peace, be still!" unto the waters of the y)olitical 
deep. 

We have a government stable, and pledged to the execution and enforce- 
ment of laws and founded upon respect and confidence of a loyal and pat riotic 



EUKEAU OF IMMIGEATION. 



ionstitiuMicy, iiiid «;iishiiiu'(l in tho iifi'ootiuns of a uoble and utillaiit people. 
I'oaco and haimoiiy nuiju siipit'inc Avitliiu our borders, and the loyal citizen- 
ship welconies and applauds a just aiul equitable adniinistratiou of the law. 
Jealousies and rivalries have subsided, and a eoinmon pride in our State and 
in our institutions inspires the manhood of our land. \ can truly say that 
progress is the watehw(jrd of Louisiana to-day. There are times when the 
approach of monientons lipcjohs in the atfairs of men and of States are her- 
alded by infallible sions, ajid these sij>ns are all around us to-day. We live 
and lllo^■(■ (;n The threshold of ini!),'hty achievements and events. The restless, 
surging s])irit of change and advancement is felt on every side. The spirit 
of progress, evolution and development moves on with resistless force. The 
whole South, rejoicing in a new-born freedom, is all aglow with fresh hopes 
new activities and renewed energies, and Louisiana, inspired by the same 
ambition, is eager to lean forward as a generous rival of her Southern sisters. 
Blessed by a munificent Providence with a health&il climate and a generous 
soil; rich in the historic deeds of her gallant sons, and radiant with the 
virtues of her noble women, with open arms she extends a warm and cordial 
welcome to the worthy sons and daughters of every clime. To her hospitable 
>)orders and to her splendid domain she invites foreign capital, thus confi- 
dently pointing to her treasures of sea and of shore, of fields and forests, as 
a pledge and security for its investment. 



LOUISIANA. 



The State of Louisiana constitutes a portion of the south- 
western part of the United States. 

Its parallels of latitude are 20^, 50' N. and 33° N., with no 
defined south-latitudinal line, owing to its irregular Gulf border. 

Its meridians of longitude are 80°, 41' W. and 90°, 10' W. 
from Greenwich. 

Louisiana is hounded on the north by the States of Ark- 
ansas and Mississippi ; east, by the State of Mississippi ; south, 
by the Gulf of Mexico, and west by the State of Texas. 

Statistics taken from recent surveys and data, sum up for 
the State 45,966 square miles of land and 2328 square miles of 
land-locked bays, lagoons and rivers. According to the works 
of Prof, S. H. Lockett, the land is divided into the following 
grand divisions. Alluvial lands, sea or coast marsh, bluff lands, 
prairies, long leaf pines and hill lands and oak lands. * 

Square Miles. Sciuare MUO.^. 

Alluvial lands 15,446 9,885,440 

Sea marsh 5,218 3,339,520 

Blnff lauds 650 461,000 

Prairies 4,392 2,810,880 

Long leaf pines and hills 10,640 6.813,440 

Oak lands. . . 9,614 6,152,960 

Total 45,966 ■ 29,418,240 

The proportion between the alluvial-flat or lowlands and the 
hill or rolling lands is almost equal, there being 20,664 square 
miles of the alluvial and 20,260 square miles of the rolling hills 
and highlands — which, including the bluff lands, amounts to 
20,910 square miles. 

Louisiana has the greatest body of alluvial lands (detritus), 
existing anywhere in the world, exceeding that of the Amazon^ 
of South America, the Congo, of Africa, or the Indus, of Asia. 



BUREAU OP IMMIGRATION. 10 



Miicli of this division is free from the inundations of ttie Mis- 
sissippi river; more than one-half of which is protected by 
levees and the area subject to overflow is about one-ninth of the 
State. 

These lands are as rich as any in the world, and fields which 
have beeii cultivated for one hundred years, without fertiliza- 
tion, are still very productive and are apparently inexhaustible^ 

The coast or sea marsh is the only subdivision subject to 
tidal overflow from the waters of the Gulf and much of this can 
be reclaimed by the construction of canals, dykes and break- 
waters. It is very rich in soil and highly ijroductive in fertility, 
yielding as much as seventy-five bushels of rice per acre. 

There is comparatively very little barren land in the State. 

In richness of soil and value, the lauds succeed each other 
in the following order : 

Acres. 

The arable alluvial lauds approxinuite 3,500,000 

The bluff lands approximate 416,000 

The prairies approximate , 2,810,880 

The good uplands approximate 5,250,000 

The pine hills approximate ^ 5,500,000 

_,'13ieriine flats approximate ". 2,216;40o 

The sea or coast marsh approximate 3,339,520 

The ^vooded alluvial and swamp lauds approximate 6,385,440 

Total 29,418,240 

The highlands, reaching down in spurs and termini of the 
Appelachian system, approach the Mississippi river, on its 
eastern banks at five points; the Tunica Hills, St. Francisville, 
Port Hudson, Scott's Bluffs and Baton Rouge. 

The spur of the Ozark Range, on the westward, does not 
reach the margin of the Mississippi river, the nearest approach 
being the highlands of the wall-line on Sicily Island, in Cata- 
houla parish. 

The alluvial parishes are East Carroll, Madison, Tensas, 
Concordia, Avoyelles, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, Iber- 
ville, Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. James, St. John the 



20 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



Baptist, St. Charles and Plaquemines, while many other par. 
ishes in the State contain alluvial lands along their river borders, 
together with other formations. 

The bluff lands are located in Avoyelles, West Carroll. 
Eichland, Catahoula, Rapides, St. Landry and Lafayette, West 
Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Iberia, and five or six 
small islands in the sea marshes. 

Dr. G. McD. Brumby, of ricbland ])arish, states that Mr. Ed. 
Wisner, formerly of the State of Michigan aud now of Delhi, 
Richland parish, has accomplished a great deal for the Bayou 
Magon section ot North LouisiaDa. He has succeeded in briug- 
ing in several hundred families from the State of Michigan into 
the parishes of Richland, Franklin aud West Carroll. These 
people have bought their own homes and are improving them. 
They are the l)est of citizens, educated and very industrious. 
They get along on the best of terms with the people of that sec- 
tion and are perfectly satisfied with their new homes. 

The prairie region embraces parts of the parishes of St. Lan- 
dry, Acadia, St. Martin, Iberia, Cameron, Calcasieu and all of 
Lafayette. 

Of this region Prof. S. E. Lockett says : 

''Tlie great prairies lie ulmost entirely west <>i' liayoii Teche aud south 
f)f l>ayou CoGodric, making up the old Opelousns and Attakapas eouutrlds. 
On the south they are limited by the impassable sea-marsh, into Vvhich they 
pass, often by imperceptible gradation. On the west, Calcasieu river and 
the Habine form the boundary lines." 

BAYOUS, COULEES AND FORESTS. 

All of this extensive area, thus broadly defined, is not one 
unbroken, treeless expanse. (Coulees and bayous course through 
it, generally in a north or south direction, on the borders of 
which grow fine forests ot timber. From these principal belts of 
timber spurs run out into the open prairies like headlands into 
the sea, thus dividing the whole region into separate tracts, 
each having its own name, Faquetaique, Mamou, Calcasieu, 
Sabine, Vermilion, Mermentau, Pla<juemine. Opelousas and 



BUREAU OF IMMiaRATION. 21 

Crraud Prairies are the largest. There are many others with 
local names. 

The surface of the prairies, though generally level, is yet 
perfectly so. 

PRAIRIE BILLOWS, COVES AND HARBORS. 

The prair-ie is gently rolling, like the billows of a deep sea. 
In fact, one cannot ride through the prairies without having 
their striking resemblance to large bodies of water constantly 
recurring to his mind. The grass which grows upon the surface, 
waving in the wind, looks like ripples uj)on the bosom of the 
ocean ; the dark blue borders of the woods are like distant 
shores, the projecting spurs like capes and promontories; the 
^^ coves" like bays and gulfs, and the occasional clumps of 
detached trees like islands in the*sea. 

SOIL OF THE PRAIRIES. 

The soil of the prairies is either of a grayish -yellow, or a 
cold gray color, but is much better than is generally supposed, 
and improves wonderfully under proper cultivation. The sub- 
soil is a good tenacious clay. The eastern part of the prairies 
has a better soil than that farther west. Yet even the latter 
ami)ly repays the laborer for his toil. By manuring, tramping, 
draining and deep plowing, the prairie soil gets better every year 
it is cultivated. Cotton, cane and rice may be raised with profit, 
and an excellent quality of tobacco. Hay, in any desired quan- 
tity, can be made by enclosing parts of the prairie and mowing 
the grass when fresh and juicy, or by sowing cultivated graisses. 

CLIMATE OF THE PRAIRIES — HEALTH AND LONGEVITY. 

The climate of the prairies is admirable ; breezy and cool in 
the summer, mild in the winter, dry and healthy at all times ; 
the Creole inhabitants are proverbially long-lived. 

The editor of the Chicago Tribune, after visiting this section 
of the State, says : 

"If, by sonify Supi'cuie effort of nature, Western Louisiana, with its soil, 
climate and production could be taken up and transported North, to th« 
2 



22 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



latitude of lUhiois and Iiuliaiia, and there set down in the pathway of 
Eastern travel, it would create a commotion that would throw the discovery 
of gold in California in the shade at the time of the greatest excitement. 
The people would rush to it in countless thousands. Every man would be 
intent on securing a few acres of these wonderfully productive and profitable 
sugar planes. These Teche lands, if in Illinois, would bring from three to 
five hundred dollars per acre." 

Thousands of immigrants have come to Louisiana within 
the past tew years, and they are, without exception, well pleased 
with their choice. 

The State is not subject to northers in winter, drought in 
summer, nor the devastating grasshopper, potato bugs and 
chintz bugs. 

There is plenty of timber, near at hand, for fencing, building 
and firewood and the number o^navigable streams and railroads 
reduce the costs of transportation of produce to market. 

Stock require but little or no shelter and will thrive on the 
wild range of natural grasses, giving a greater and more regular 
increase than in colder climates. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 23 



EZKITE-jPlCTS 



PRODUCTS. llTTRftCTIONS IIND RESOURCES. OF LOUISIftNi 



SEA-MARSH. 

A large part of the parishes of Cameron, Vermilion, St. 
Marj"^, Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, Plaquemines, Iberia 
and St Bernard is comj)osed of sea-aiarsh ; but tue land border- 
ing the bayous is the richest alluvial. The products are sugar, 
rice, vegetables, tropical fruits and fish and game. A part of 
the surface of Vermilion, Cameron and Iberia paiIshos,is prairie. 

The " Coast Marsh" is, at present, almost oat of consideri*- 
tion for the agriculturist or capitalist. 

Prof. Lockett thus describes it on the topographical map in 
question : 

" Subject to tidal overflow; uot passable. Intersected by bayous, lakes 
and trembling prairies, with islands of live oaks, covered with tall, rank 
grass. Products : Fish, game, rice, oranges^ bananas, figs on islands. Area, 
5,200 square miles.- Salt water surface, about 2,Q00 square miles." 

This area is out of consideration for the agriculturist, because 
uot reclaimed ; out of consideration for the capitalist (meaning 
thereby the speculator), because a great deal has been purchased, 
at least, in its western area. Mr. J. B. Watkins, of Lake 
Charles, La. (headquarters), though living in Kansas, purchased, 
at a stroke, over one million acres of it. We uiwlorstand his 
purchase to include about all the ''Coasf Marsh" i a Vermilion 
parish, and in Cameron, to Lake Calca.sieu, further west. West 
of that lake, a few gentlemen residing west of Lake Charles, 
own much, if not all the balance, of this " Coast Marsh," in the 
southwestern corner of Louisiana, clear, or near Sabine Pass. 



34 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

On the eastern part of this body of land, a large tract is owned 
by a (JomiJany having its domicile in New Orleans. 

Between New Orleans and Mobile ("along the coast"), 
sslubs of sportsmen of the former city, own more or less, and 
liave club-houses there where they shoot and fish. This "Coast 
■Marsh" is one of the finest winter cattle ranges on the continent. 
ZEhe soil is incredibly rich, made so by its many factors of fer- 
tility, such as marine shells, dead fish, salt from overflows of the 
Gnlf of Mexico, the humus from the rank, decayed grass of 
unnumbered ages, and by the excreta of countless aquatic fowl 
that have been its resort for centuries. This last element of fer- 
tility puts the soil in the category of a quality like the guano of 
the Lobos Islands of Peru. By burning this tall grass after it 
lias been frost-struck, room is given for the young grass to grow, 
which it does all winter. 

Besides the tall, rank grass, there is other food which the 
cattle is fond of — flag, water p.Wsely, etc. Some day this front 
af the sea-marsh will be valuable as grounds for oyster-planting^ 
Jlsh-taking, terrapin-nurseries, etc. In Delaware, Maryland and 
Virginia, oyster beds are very valuable. Prom them is furnished 
work for a thousand or more vessels ("oyster boats," in the par- 
dance of the oystermen), and thousands of employes (of both 
sexes) find employment in "shucking" and packing this choice 
shell fish ; and even towns are built away out into the shallow 
sounds, in some lecalities, with oyster shells as foundations. 
The shores of our Gulf are just beginning to feel the impulse of 
oyster and shrimp-canning, and scores of these canneries will 
spring into existence in the near future. Then the localities, 
-where the finest oysters can be raised or " grown," will be very 
valuable, and water-fronts will be in demand. Then, too, fish- 
packing, "fish-guano" factories, fish-oil establishments, etc., 
will some day be great industries; and good seining grounds 
accessible must be had. It" is not generallv known that we have 
in the Gulf of Mexico the genuine "Diamond-back" of the 
waters of the Delaware and Chesax)eake bays. Retail, these 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 2.7 

terrapins sell, by the dozen ('"'counts"), for from ten to fifteen 
dollars, and larger ones as high as thirty dollars, in winter. 
per dozen. Every habitue ot those renowned restauranteurs^ 
Welcker, of Washington, D. C, and Delmonico, of New York^. 
known what a plate of "Diamond-back" is, and also what a 
plate costs!! So far as we know, there are only two terrapin 
farms in the United States — that is lor this species — one on tli«;- 
eastern shore of Maryland, and the other on Mobile bay (iit 
Alabama). The shallow bays, inlets, etc., aft'ord most admirable 
chances tor raising this crustacean along our Gulf front. It is a 
matter of course that, by twenty-five years from now, will ber 
started two or three cities between New Orleans and Galveston- 
In all human probability, one of them will be on Vermilion bay^ 
Deep water can be had there. It can be made a superb harbor^ 
No reason why it should not be made a great winter city. There, 
will be prodigious canneries of fish, crab, shrimp, oysters, etc.. 
and cognate industries or those dependent. At points on the- 
Gulf coast, between the southwest pass of the Mississippi river 
and Sabine Pass, there is a superb surf; and summer cities will 
surely spring up, resorted to by parties who seek bathing, sea 
breeze, fishing, shooting, sailing, etc. At this date, a large hotel 
is being built at Grand Isle, as a summer hotel for those who 
seek the above-mentioned attractions. And a railroad is pro- 
jected to that point, to accommodate travel there. It has beeit- 
long noted for its superb surf. 

We ought not to fail to say a few words about the splendid' 
shooting in the "Coast Marsh" a^ea. There, are more or less 
deer, duck, wild geese, and brant swarm there in myriads, in 
winter. The locality is one of the great winter habitats of the- 
migratory fowls above named, that, forsaking the frozan regions 
of the West at that season, seek the locality in question. No 
adequate idea can be conveyed of the teeming millions of these 
aquatic fowl that darken the air in flight, and fairly cover the 
waters of this coast marsh. But wild duck are found, both 
summer and winter there and elsewhere in the State Their 
flesh is delicious, and many "pothuhters" earn a livelihood in 



26 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



killing them. And iu speaking of game, it ouglit to be said that 
no State '■ "' Fniou at all compares with Louisiana in abund- 
ance and v;;: .ety. Deer, wild turkey, woodcock, jack-suipe, 
wild duck •'!.!! gcose are plentiful. In localities, wolves and 
black bear are numerous. <^>uail, rabbits and squirrels are 
abundant almost everywhere, a little away from thick settle- 
ment. Prairie chickens are in goodly numbers on the south- 
western praJvies. Papabotes (plovers, two species), swarm in 
early spring and August there, and they are far superior in 
quality to the jack-snipe. Wild cats are easily found. Opos- 
sums and coons are almost a staple food for the colored people, 
in wooded areas, in winter. Eobins are in great numbers in 
spring, and doves and wild pigeons are in strong force. Many 
people trap 5 and otters and minks are to be found on almost all 
streams where population has not cleared them out. 

THE (iOOD UPLANDS 

are found in the parisbes of Caddo, De Soto, Sabine, Bossier, 
Webster, Eed Eiver, Claiborne, Bienville, Union, Jackson, 
Ouachita, Morehouse and parts of Caldwell, East Baton Eouge 
and East and West Feliciana. These lands are from three to 
five hundred feet above the level of the sea. The soil is gray or 
yellow sandy loam, and very fertile. It is easily washed, unless 
cultivated by horizontal plowing. The subsoil is a sandy clay, 
and retains fertilizers well. An oval-shaped area of the "Good 
Uplands " comes down from "Northeast Ouachita, well down to 
its south boundary, on the east side of the parish. This protru- 
sion of hill lands separates the common bottom prevailing iu the 
south of the parish, and divides the streams for all the balance 
of the parish. Going north, we find a long, narrow belt on the 
east side of the ridge of '"Good Uplands," which is the bottom 
of the Lafourche. 

THE RED LANDS 

of Claiborne, Sabine, Union, Jackson and Webster parishes, 
come under this head. These lands are on high ridges, but mpre 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 27 



tenacious and are not easily washed. They are very fine cotton 
and corn lauds, but are especially adapted to small grain. The 
natural forest growth of these lauds are oaks of differeut varie- 
ties, dogwood, beech, sassafras, gum, ash, maple, short-leaf pi ue, 
and mauy bushes and grapevines. The parishes named under 
this head, all have alluvial lands bordering the streams which 
intersect them, but these are not extensive iu Bieuville, Clai- 
borne, Jackson and Sabine. The lands lying on the Red River, 
in the parishes of Bossier, Caddo, De Soto and Red River, and 
those lying on the Ouachita in the parishes of Caldwell, More- 
house and Ouachita are said to be the finest cotton lands in the 
world. There are also large tracts of long-leaf pine lands in 
Bienville, Caldwell, Jackson, Ouachita and Sabine, which are 
inferior in fertility. 

THE PRODUCTS 

of the good uplands are cottou, corn, rice, potatoes, tobacco, 
oats, wheat and sugar for home consumption. Small grains do 
well, especially iu the famous "red lauds." Peaches, plums,' 
pears, apples, melons and grapes flourish. In Claiborne there 
are many fine vineyards, and wine of a superior quality is made. 

The good uplands, with ordinary cultivation, will produce 
three-fourths of a bale of cotton, twenty-five to thirty bushels of 
corn, thirty -five to forty-five bushels of rice, two hundred to three 
hundred bushels of potatoes, or three-fourths of a hogshead of 
sugar. Wikh fertilizers and good cultivation these figures may 
be doubled. 

THE VINE HILLS. 

The pine hills are embraced in tlie parishes of Caldwell, 
Calcasieu, Catahoula, Grant, Jackson. Livingston, i^atchitoches, 
Rapides, Red River, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Tam- 
many, Tangipahoa, Vernon, Washington and Winn. 

All these parishes have a variety of good soil and timber. 

!N^atchitoches parish has some of the best alluvial land in the 
State. 



28 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

V 

Grant parish has alluvial laud on Eed Kiver. 

Catahoula parish embraces Sicily Island, a most beautiful 
and fertile table land, on which is Lake Lovelace, a beautiful 
lake, containing the finest of white perch. 

A large portion of Calcasieu and St. Landry parishes are 
prairie. 

The people of all these parishes are the best of citizens and 
are independent and industrious. There are fine clear streams 
©f the best water running through each of them, which contain 
fine fish, such as trout, bar-fish and bass. These parishes con- 
tain extensive pine forests. The timber is increasing in value, 
not alone for the tar, pitch and turpentine, which is produced in 
great quantities. A great many tine cattle are raised, at no 
expense on the common grasses. 

THE PINE FLATS 

cover nearly one-half of the parishes of St. Tammany, Tangi- 
pahoa, Livingston and Calcasieu. The forest growth is magnifi- 
cent long-leaf pine — the yellow pitch pine of commerce: and a 
fine growth of cypress timber borders the streams. The pine 
flats [afford illimitable fields to the lumberman, and charcoal 
burners do a flourishing trade with Xew Orleans, where they 
ship charcoal on luggers and receive from twenty-five to fifty 
cents per banel thereJor. The manufacture of tar, pitch and 
turpentine is carried on to a limited extent, and all of these 
industries offer large and speedy returns to the yivestment of 
capital. 

The soil of the pine flats is thin and sandy ; m comparison 
with the soil of other parts of the State, it is called poor, yet it 
will yield a tair return for labor bestowed. This region has little 
undergrowth, but is covered witli coarse grass, which affords 
good pasturage for sheep and cattle. 

The products are sugar cane, corn, potatoes, rice, tobacco, 
vegetables, melons, fruits and grapes. 

The facilities for transportation, not only within the State, 
but for exijorting are equal to those of any country in the world. 



BUREAU OF IMiNHGRATION. 29 

ACADIA PAEISH. 

Acadia parish is situated in the southwestern part of the 
State and contains 394,240 acres of land. 

The formation is prairie; soil fertile and productive. It is 
drained by Bayou Nezpique on the west and Queu de Tortue on 
the south, and through its central portions by Bayous Cannes 
and Plaquemines Brulee. 

Water is plentiful and good throughout the parish. 

The Southern Pacific railroad passes through the southern 
sections ; Crowley, situatea on this line, is the parish seat. 

Rice and sugar are the principal crop productions; corn? 
cotton, hay, oats, sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, tobacco and 
varieties are also produced. 

The fruits are the orange, grape, prune, pear, peach, plum 
and pomegranate. The smaller varieties are also profitably 
grown. 

Timber is found along the bayous and coulees, suitable for 
building and fencing, embracing the varieties of oak, cypress, 
Cottonwood, elm, gum, ash, sugar-wood, sycamore, pecan, per- 
simmon and willow. 

The raising of live stock is a profitable industry and sheep, 
cattle, horses and hogs thrive and increase remarkably well 
here; many of the farmers being largely interested in wool 
growing". 

Game are found, such as rice-birds, partridges, plovers, 
becasin and jack-snipe. 

Very little public land remains in the parish. Private land 
is worth from $5.00 to $30.00 per acre. 



ASCENSION PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and is divided by the Mississippi river, which flows through its 
southwestern portion. 



50 STATE OF LOUISIANA, 

It contains 238,720 acres of land, the formation of which is 
about equally divided, between alluvial land and wooded swamp; 
the soil being" exceedingly rich and highly produciive. 

It is drained by the Mississippi and A*rnite rivers and 
Bayous Manchac and Les Acadiens and their branches. 

The Mississippi Valley railroad (belonging to the lilinois 
Central System) traverses the parish along the eastern coast of 
the Mississippi river, and the Texas Pacific railroad along the 
western coast. 

Donaldsonville, situated on the west bank ot the Mississippi 
river, and on the line of the Texas Pacific railway, is the iiarish 
seat. 

Cistern water is generally used. 

Sugar is the main crop of the parish; rice, corn, bay, oats, 
beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, tobacco and garden truck are 
produced. 

Fruits are the orange, fig, ])omegranate, plum, guava, pear, 
peach, grape and prune. 

Cattle and hogs are raised to some extent, and some few 
sheep and horses. 

Game is found, such as bear, deer, coons, opossums, squir- 
rels, mink, becasin, snipe, partridges, wild ducks and wild geese. 

Fish are plentiful in ^the streams and lakes; black bass, 
trout, and the common varieties. 

There are large areas of splendid cypress timber, and ash, 
oak, pecan; willow, cottonwood, persimmon and magnolia abound. 

The parish contaius 60,000 acres of Uuited States Covern- 
ment land and a large amount of State jjublic lauds. 

Private land is worth from $10.00 to $50.00 per acre. 



ASSUMPTION PARISH. 

The parish is situated in the southern part of the State and 
contains 227,200 acres of land. 

The formation is composed of alluvial laud and wooded 
swamp; soil rich and highly productive. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. .31 

It is drained by Bayous Lafourche, Grant and Vincent and 
Grand iiiver and Grand Lake, 

The JSoiitbern Pacific railroad runs through its extreme 
southern sections. 

Napoleouville, situated on Bayou Lafourche, is the parish 
seat. 

Drinking water is good. 

Sugar is the chief crop, and rice, corn, hay, oats, sweet and 
Irish potatoes, beans, tobacco, and the garden varieties are 
produced. 

The fruits are the orange, fig, i)ear, plum, peach, persim- 
mon, pomegranate, guava and grape. 

The timber is chiefly cypress, oak, gum and persimmon, 
with some cottonwood, willow, pecan and sycamore. 

Some live stock are raised, mostly cattle and hogs. 

There is such game as partridges, rice-birds, plovers, snipe 
and becasin, coons, opossums, mink and squirrels; also, in sea- 
son, wild ducks, wild geese and woodcock. 

The bayous and lakes furnish varieties of fish, among them 
trout and black bass. 

There is very little United States Government land in the 
parish, but some amount of State public laud for homestead 
entry or sale. 

Private land is worth from 810.00 to $60.00 per acre. 



AVOYELLES PARISH. 

Avoyelles parish is situated near the central part oi' the 
State and contains 539,520 acres of land. 

The formation is of several varieties ; alluvial land, prairie, 
bluff land and wooded swamp, the latter predominating. The 
sod is fertile and productive. It is drained by the Red, Saline 
and Atchafalaya rivers and Bayous Long, Katchitoches, Avoy- 
elles, De Glaise and Rouge. 

Water is plentiful and of good quality. 



S2 STATE CF LOUISIANA. 

The Texas Pacific railroad ])asses through its southwestern 
section. 

Marksville is the parish seat. 

The products are chiefly cotton and corn ; sugar cane, oats, 
hay, beansj sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum and garden varie- 
ties are also produced. 

The fruits succeed well here, such as peaches, pears, apples, 
figs, plums, quinces, grapes, pomegranates, persimmons, and the 
smaller kinds. 

The live stock industry is profitable and cattle, sheep, hogs, 
horses and mules are raised in abundance. 

Game is plentiful, such as bear, deer, foxes, coons, opossums, 
squirrels, rabbits and wild turkeys, partridges, rice-birds, robins, 
snipe, woodcock, wild ducks, wild geese, pheasants and plovers. 

Fish of excellent quality and large quantities abound in the 
lakes and streams. 

The timber of this parish is very extensive, comprising oak, 
ash, cypress, gum, elm, cotton wood, poplar, pine, locust, beech, 
maple, hickory, holly, magnolia, walnut, hackberry, sycamore, 
persimmon and willow. 

There arc 2280 acres of United States Goveinment laud and 
some quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $1.50 to 610.00 per acre. 



EAST BATO>>f KOUGE PABISH. 

JThis parish is situated ni the southeastern part of the State ,, 
and contains 272,000 acres of land. 

It is composed of bluft land, good uplands, wooded swamp 
alluvial land and a small area — the plains — of prairie formation. 

It is drained by the Amite river on its eastern and by the 
Mississippi river on its western borders. The Comite river and 
Bayous Baton Kouge, Montecino, Cypress, Clay-Gut, Ward, 
Fontaine and Manchac drain its other sections. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, 33 

The water throughout the parish is plentiful and of good 
quality. 

The city of Baton Rouge, the capital of the State, situated 
on the east bank of the Mississippi river, is the parish seat. 

The crop productions are cotton, sugar, rice, corn, hay, oats, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, sorghum, and all varieties of 
garden truck. 

The fruits are pears, peaches, grapes, apples, plums, figs, 
prunes, pomegranates, persimmons, aud the smaller varieties. 

Live stock raising is extensively engaged in and cattle, hogs, 
horses and mules, all thrive well in this section. 

Game and fish abound in the eastern and southern portions 
ot the parish and here are found deer, coons, opossums, foxes, 
squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, partridges, becasin, 
snipe, rice-birds and woodcock. 

There are 3360 acres of United States Government land and 
some State public lands in the x>arish. 

Private land is worth from $2.00 to S30.00 per acre. 



WEST BATON ROUGE. 

This parish is situated in the south-central part of the Stat© 
and lies west of the Mississippi river. 

It is the smallest parish, except Orleans, in the State and 
contains 134,400 acres of land. 

The formation is alluvial land and wooded swamp, very fer- 
tile and productive 

The Mississippi river drains the eastern borders and Bayous 
Grosse Tete, Poydras, and Stumpy bayou the other sections. 

Drinking water is good. 

The Texas Pacific railroad passes through the southern part 
of the parish and has a branch road leading from Baton Rouge 
Junction to the city of Baton Rouge, including ferriage there. 
Another short line extends from Port Allen to Rosedale on 
Bayou Grosse Tete. 



34 STATE OP LOUISIANA. 



Port Allen, situated on the west bank of the Mississippi 
river, is the Parish seat. 

The timber consists of oak, cypress, pecan, persimmon, gum, 
poplar, Cottonwood, hackberry and willow. 

The general crop of the parish is sugar; rice, corn, hay, oats, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, cotton and the garden varieties 
are produced. 

Fruits are pears, i^eaches, plums, apples, figs and grapes. 

Some live stock are raised, such as cattle, hogs, sheep and 
horses. 

Game and fish abound ; deer, squirrels, coons, opossums^ 
wild turkeys, wild geese and ducks, becasin, jack-snipe, par- 
tridges, rice-birds and robins are found. 

There is very little public land m the jjarish, either State or 
United States Government land. 

Private lands are worth from $2.50 to $30.00 per acre. 



BIENVILLE PAEISH. 

Bienville parish is situated in the northwestern part of the 
State and contains 547,840 acres of laud. 

Its formation is good upland, the soil being fertile and pro- 
ductive. 

It is drained by Lake Bisteneau on the west and by Bayous 
Blacklake, Saline, and the headwaters of Dugdemoua river in 
other sections. 

The Yicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific railroad passes 
through the northern portion of the parish, with a branch road 
running southward from Gibsland Station to the town of Bien- 
ville. 

Water is abundant and fairly good. 

New Arcadia, situated on the Vicksburg, Shreveport and 
Pacific railroad and in its northeasterly portion, is the parish 
seat. 



UUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 35 



Timber is very plentiful and consists of oak, pine, beech 
gum, elm, poplar, hickory, ash, locust, maple, walnut, sassafras, 
sycamore, mulberry, holly, cottonwood and willow. 

Cotton is the principal crop produced; corn, hay, oats, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, sofghum and garden crops are 
also raised. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, plums, apples, quinces, figs 
and grapes. 

In live stock, cattle, hogs, horses and sheep all thrive weU 
here. 

Game is plentiful, and deer, coons, opossums, foxes, beavers, 
mink, squirrels, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, partridges, 
woodcocks and robins are found. 

The lakes and streams abound with fish, and trout, bar- fish 
and bass are found. 

There are deposits of salt, potters'-clay, fire-clay, marl, green 
sand, lignite and gypsum found in the parish. 

There are 36,380 acres of United States Government laud 
and as much or more State public land within the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $1.50 to $10.00 per acre. 



BOSSIER PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the northwestern part of the Stat© 
and contains 494,720 acres of land. 

The land is good upland and alluvial in formation, and is 
very fertile and productive. 

It is drained by Bodcau Bayou, Bodcau Lake, Red River 
and numerous small streams. 

The water is plentiful and generally of good quality. 

The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific railroad traverses 
the south-central parts of the parish and the St. Louis, Arkansas 
and Texas railroad its northwestern section. 

Belle vuc, situated near Lake Bodcau is the parish seat. 



36 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The timber is oak, pine, asb, cypress, persimmon, gum, 
beech, elm, hollj', hickory, sycamore, poplar and cotton wood. 

Cotton is the chief crop product j corn, hay, oats, beans, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum, and the garden varieties all 
do well. # 

The fruits are apples, pears, peaches plums, quinces, grapes 
and figs. 

Cattle, hogs, slieep and horses are raised and thrive well. 

Game is found, such as deer, coons, opossums, foxes, squir- 
rels, rabbits, mink, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, par- 
tridges, snipe and woodcock. 

Fish of good quality are found in the lakes and streams, 
among them bar-fish, trout and bass. 

There are deposits of salt, fire-clay, potters'-clay, marl and 
green sand. 

There are 30,260 acres of United States Government land 
and a large amount of State public land in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $1AH) to $20.00 per acre. 



CADDO PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the northwestern corner of the 
State and contains 545,280 acres of land. 

It is of good upland and alluvial formation, with soil fertile 
and i)roductive. 

Eed Kiver drains the eastern borders and Black, Clear, 
Caddo, Soda and Cross lakes and a number of small streams 
drain the other sections. 

The Texas Pacific and the Shreveport and Houston railroads 
pass through the parish. 

Shreveport, situated on the western bank of lied River, is 
the parish seat. It is the second largest city in the State. 

Water is plentiful and good. 

The timber is oak, gum, cypress, elm, beech, hickory, cotton- 
wood, willow, poplar, sycamore and locust. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 37 

The fitufcb lire peaches, peai's, apples, plums, persimmons, 
quinces, grapes; pomegranates and figs, while the smaller varie- 
ties do well. 

The crop productions are diversified, with cotton in the 
lead ; corn, oats, hay, beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, tobacco, 
sorghum, sugar cane, and the garden varieties all produce excel- 
lent crops. 

Live stock thrive and cattle, sheep, hogs and horses are 
raised. There are some fine grades of stock to be found here. 

Game is abundant and fishing very good in the lakes and 
streams, which furnish bass, bar-fish, trout and white perch to 
the table. 

There are 66,051 acres of United States Government land 
and a large amount of State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands range fsom $2.00 to $50.00 per acre. 



CALCASIEU PARISH. 

This parish is the largest in area in the State and contains 
2,091,520 acres of land. 

Its formation embraces prairie, pine hill, pine flat, coast- 
marsh and a little alluvial and wooded swamp lands. 

It is drained by Bayous Nezpique and the Sabine, Mer- 
mentau, and the Calcasieu river with its many tributary streams. 

Water is plentiful and of good quality. 

The Southern Pacific and the Kansas City, Watkins and 
Gulf railroads traverse the parish. 

Lake Charles, situated on Lake Charles, is the parish seat. 

The crop productions are principally rice and sugar ; corn, 
cotton, sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, hay, oats, and garden 
crops are also raised. 

The fruits are, the orange, grape, peach, pear, plum, guava, 
pomegranate, prune and fig. 

The timber is pine, oak, gum, elm, sugarwood, cottonwood, 
willow, locust and persimmon. 

8 



38 STA.TE OF LOUISIANA. 

Live stock raising is a profitable industry and sheep, cattle, 
hogs and horses are extensively raised. 

Game is found, such as deer, foxes, coons, rabbits, squirrels, 
snipe, becasin, partridges, rice- birds, plovers, robins, wild ducks 
and geese, woodcock and pheasants. 

Fishing is good in the streams and lakes ; bass, trout and 
carp are found. 

There are 95,600 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public lands in the parish: 

Private lands are worth trom $2.00 to $25.00 per acre. 

Large deposits of sulphur are found and petroleum and 
gypsum exist. 

CALDWELL PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the north-central part of the State 
and contains 348,800 acres of land. 

Its formation is alluvial, pine hills and good uplands. 

Its physical outlines or topographic features are very rugged 
and broken in the upland portions of the parish, but the soil is 
fertile and productive. 

It is drained by the Ouachita and Little Rivers and Bayous 
Ca-stor and Lafourche. 

The Houston, Central Arkansas and Northern railroad runs 
through the parish. 

Columbia, situated on the Ouachita river is the parish seat. 

Water is plentiful and of good quality. 

The timber consists of pine, oak, ash, beech, hickory, cotton- 
wood, gum, elm, poplar, magnolia, locust, holly, maple, walnut, 
persimmon and willow. 

The principal crop is cotton ; corn, oats, hay, beans, sweet 
and Irish potatoes, sorghum, sugar cane, tobacco and garden 
products are raised. 

The fruits are peaches, apples, pears, jilums, figs, pomegran- 
ates, grapes and quinces. The soil and formation present an 
inviting field for horticulture. 



BUREAU OF IMMiaRATION. 39 

Live stock are raised, consisting of cattle, hogs and sheep. 

Game abound, such as deer, foxes, coons, opossums, squir- 
rels, rabbits, wild turkeys, partridges, rice-birds, robins, wild 
ducks and geese and ivoodcock. 

Fish are plentiful in the streams and bayous, where bass, 
bar fish and trout are found. 

There are deposits of chalk, kaolin, fire-clay, potters'-clay, 
iron and marls in the parish. 

There are 48,480 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $1,00 to $5.00 per acre. 



CAMERON PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southwestern corner of the 
State. 

It contains 998,400 acres of land. 

The formation is largely coast marsh, with some prairie and 
alluvial land, the soil being extremely rich and highly produc- 
tive. 

it is drained in part by the Mermentau, Calcasieu and 
Sabine rivers. 

Lakes Sabine, Grand and Calcasieu lie within its confines. 

The Kansas City, Watkins and Gulf railroad passes through 
the parish. 

Watkins (formerly Cameron), situated at the mouth of Cal 
casieu Pass, is the parish seat. 

Cistern water is chiefly used. 

The timber is cypress, oak and willow. 

The fruits are, the orange, lemon, olive, fig, grape, banana, 
guava, prunes, plums and mandarins. 

The crop productions are rice and sugar, while garden truck 
succeeds well. 

Game, such as wild ducks and geese, becasin, jack-snipe, 
papabotes and rice-birds are abundant. 



if) STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

FishiDg is extensive aud excellent; sbeepshead, red-fish, 
pompano, salt water trout, Spanish mackerel, carp, shrimp and 
crabs abound, and the oyster and diamond-back terrapin exist 
in extensive quantities. 

There are only 1000 acres of United States Government 
land, but a large area of State public lands in the parish. 

Improved private lands are high-priced aud difficult to pur_ 
chase. Some private lauds can be bought. 



EAST CAEEOLL PAEISH. 

East Carroll parish is situated in the upper northeastern, 
corner of the State and contains 256,000 acres of land. 

Its formation is alluvial land with some wooded swamp 
lands. Soil, very fertile and productive. 

It is drained by the Mississippi river along the eastern and 
Bayou Magou on Its western borders, while the Tensas river and 
its branches drain the central portions. 

Lake Providence, situated on the Mississippi river, is the 
parish seat. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

The timber is oak, cypress, gum, elm, hackberry, willow, 
Cottonwood, pecan, hickory, locust and persimmon. 

Cotton is the chief crop product, while corn, hay, oats, beans, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum and garden varieties are 
raised. 

The fruits are, peaches, pears, prunes, apples, figs, grapes 
and pomegranates. 

Game abounds, such as, deer, squirrel, rabbits, coons, opos- 
sums, otter, mink, wild turkeys, partridges, rice-birds, robins, 
wild ducks and geese and woodcock. 

Fishing in the streams is good and white perch, trout and 
bass are found. 

The live stock industry engaged in embraces cattle and hogs. 

There is very little United States Government land in this 
parish (about 320 acres), but a quantity of State public lands. 

Private land is worth from $3.00 to $25.00 per acre. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGEATION. 41 

WEST CARROLL PARISH. 

• This parish is situated in the northeastern part of the State 
and contains 243,200 acres of land. 

It is of bluff formation chiefly, with some wooded swamp 
and alluvial land, the soil of which is rich and productive, 

It is drained by Bayou Magon on the eastern and Boiuf 
river on its western borders, 

Floyd, situated on Bayou Ma^on, is the parish seat. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

Cotton is the chief crop product, and corn, hay, oats, sweet 
and Irish potatoes, sorghum, beans and the garden varieties are 
raised. 

The timber varieties are oak, cypress, ash, beech, elm, gum, 
Cottonwood, pecan, locust, hickory, magnolia, holly, mulberry 
and persimmon. 

Live stock, such as cattle, sheep, hogs and horses are raised- 
Game abound, among which are deer, squirrels, rabbits, 
coons, opossums, foxes, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, 
robins and woodcock. 

Fishing is good in the streams, and bass, bar-fi ^h, white 
perch and trout are found. 

There are 1250 acres of United States Government and some 
State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $2.00 to $10.00 per acre. 



CATAHOULA PARISH. 

This parish is situated near the central part of the State 
and contains 864,000 acres of land. 

The formation is pine hills, wooded swamp, alluvial land, 
good upland and bluff land ; the alluvial lands being very rich 
and productive and the good uplands and bluff lands being of a 
fmperior quality and very fertile. 

The parish is drained by the Ouachita, Tensas, Black and~ 
Little rivers. Bayous Louis, Saline and Castor, and Gastons^ 
Fords, Brushley, Hemp Hill and Funny Louis creeks. 



42 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The New Orleans and Northwestern railroad passes tlirougli 
the eastern portion of the parish, and the Houston, Central 
Arkansas and Northern railroad through its northwestern corner. 

Harrisonburg, situated on the Ouachita river, is the parish 
seat. 

The water throughout the parish is abundant and generally 
of good quality. There are valuable mineral waters at the 
White Sulphur Springs, the Castor Springs, Gaston's Creek^ 
Harrisonburg and other points, of very superior qualities. 

There are immense deposits of chalk, kaolin, bauxite, gyp- 
sum, limestone, grindstone, Ouachita hone-stone, tlint-stone, and 
beds ot Fuller's earth, tire-clay, potters'-clay, lignite, sulphur, 
marl, green sand, talc lead and iron. 

The timber is very extensive and various, with jjine in the 
lead; the other varieties being oak, cypress, ash, cotton woody 
willow, gum, elm, hickory, pecan, locust, mulberry, sassafras^ 
maple, walnut, poplar, sycamore, holly, beech, magnolia and 
persimmon. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, grapes, figs 
and quinces. 

The wild May-haw grows abundantly throughout the western 
portions ol the parish and this truit has no superior, and, in fact, 
no equal for jellying purposes, having a peculiar and delicate 
flavor possessed by no other fruit. A factory for preserving 
this fruit (which is allowed to waste and rot), in the forms of 
jellies, would be a very paying investment. 

The highlands oi Sicily Island are of a superior quality and 
fertility of soil, well adapted to horticulture and vine culture. 

The chief crop product is cotton, while corn, oats, hay, sweet 
and Irish potatoes, tobacco, sorghum and sugar cane yield 
abundantly. 

The live stock are hogs, sheep and horses ; a large industry 
being developed in raising hogs for shipment. 

Game are found, such as deer, bear, foxes, coons, opossums, 
squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, par- 
tridges, robins, rice-birds and woodcock. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 43 

Fish are plentiful in the creeks, bayous and lakes, among- 
them are found trout, bass, bar-fish and white perch. 

There are 97,000 acres of United States Government land in 
the parish and a large quantity of State public lands. Private 
lands are worth from f 1.00 to $15.00 per acre. 



CLAIBORNE PAEISH. 

This parish is situated in the northwestern part of the State 
and contains 497,920 acres of land. 

The formation is good uplands, the soil being fertile and 
productive. 

It is drained by the headwaters of Bayou D'Arbonne and 
numerous small streams. 

Homer, situated neat the center, is the parish seat. 

There is a line of railroad connecting this town with the 
Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific railroad atGibbsland Station. 

Water is plentiful and of excellent quality. 

Cotton is the chief crop product; corn, oats, hay, beans, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, tobacco, hemp, wheat, buckwheat and 
sorghum all yield good crops. 

The fruits are peaches, apples, pears, plums, quinces, pome- 
granates and grapes. 

The timber is oak, pine, poplar, hickory, beech, holly, elm, 
walnut, maple and locust. 

Live stock raised here are cattle, sheep, hogs and horses- 
Game are found, such as deer, coons, opossums, foxes, squir- 
rels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, partridges, woodcock 
and robins. 

The streams are mostly small, but fine varieties of fish are 
found in their waters, among them trout, bar-fish, perch ,and 
blue and spotted cat. 

Deposits of marl, green sand, potters'-clay, fire- clay, iron 
and lignite are found. 



44 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

There are 8500 acres of United States Government, land and 
some State lands within the confines of the parish. 

Private lands are worth from |1.00 to $10.00 per acre. 



CONCORDIA Px\RISH. 

This parish is situated in the east central part of the State 
and contains 425,600 acres of land. 

Its formation is alluvial land and wooded swamp ; soil 
highly fertile and productive. 

It is drained by the Mississippi, Tensas, Black and Red 
rivers. 

Drinking water is good. 

Vidalia, fiituated on the Mississippi river, is the parish seat. 

The New Orleans uud Northwestern railroad runs through 
the northeastern part of the parish and there is also a line 
extending from Concordia Station to Trinity, on the Tensas river. 

The timber is oak, cypress, pecan, ash, gum, elm, cotton- 
wood, hackberry, persimmon and willow. 

The chief crop product is cotton ; corn, hay, oats, sweet and 
Irish potatoes, beans, sorghum, sugar cane and tobacco are 
raised. 

Live stock raised are chiefly cattle. 

The fruits are pears, peaches, grapes, figs, apples and plums. 

Game abound, such as deer,, bear, coons, opossums, squir- 
rels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, partridges and 
woodcocks ; also, rice-birds. 

Fish are plentiful in the lakes and rivers, among which are 
bass, blue cat, white perch and pike. 

There is no United States Government laud in the parish, 
but a good quantity of State public lands. 

Private lands are worth from $3.00 to $30.00 per acre. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGEATION. 4& 

DE SOTO PARISH. 

The palish of De Soto is .situated iu the northwestern part 
of the State and contains 547,840 acres of land. 

The formation is chiefly good uplands, with a little alluvial 
land along the Sabine river and Bayou Pierre. It is drained by 
these two streams and their numerous small affluents. 

The soil is of good quality, fertile, and productive. 

The Texas Pacific railroad and the Shreveport and Houston 
railroad extend through the parish. 

Mansfield, situated near the center, is the parish seat. 

A short tap line connects the town with the Texas Pacific 
railroad at Mansfield Station. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

The chief crop product is cotton ; corn, hay, oats, sweet and 
Irish potatoes, beans, sorghum and tobacco all thrive well. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, tigs, pomegran- 
ates, quinces and grapes. 

The timber is chiefly pine ; oak, poplar, beech, holly, gum, 
magnolia, elm, maple, locust, mulberry, hickory and some walnut 
are found. 

Game, such ks deer, coons, opossums, foxes, rabbits, squir- 
rels, wild turkeys, partridges, wild ducks, wild geese, woodcock 
and rice-birds are found. 

Fish ot various kinds abound in the streams and lakes. 

Live stock are cattle, hogs, sheep and some horses. 

Deposits of lignite, potters'-clay, fireclay, kaolin, iron, marl 
and green sand are found. 

There are 30,650 acretfof United States Government and 
some State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $1.00 to $8.00 per acre, 



EAST FELICIANA PARISH, 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and contains 298,240 acres of land. 



46 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The formation is good upland, bluff land and x)iue hills; the 
soil being very fertile and productive. 

It is drained by the Comite and Amite rivers, Pretty creek, 
Redwood, Thompson's, Beaver. Sandy and Black creeks. 

The Mississippi Valley railroad extends through the parish, 
having branch lines from Slaughter Station to Woodville, Miss., 
and from Ethel Station to Clinton, the parish seat. 

Water throughout the ijarish is abundant and of excellent 
quality. 

. The chief crop product is cotton, while corn, oats, hay, beans, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum, sugar cane, tobacco and the 
garden varieties thrive exceediugly well. 

The fruits are apples, pears, peaches, figs, plums, quinces, 
pomegranates, grapes and the smaller varieties. 

Game is plentitul, such as coons, opossums, foxes, rabbits, 
squirrels, beavers, mink, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, 
woodcock, partridges, jack snipe, robins and rice-birds. 

Fish, of good quality, abound in the streams; trout, bass, 
bar-fish, perch and blue and speckled cat are found. 

The live stock industry is successfully conducted and num- 
bers of fine, blooded cattle and horses are bred', while sheep and 
hogs thrive remarkably well. * 

The timber is oak, beech, pine, gum, elm, poplar, hickory, 
magnolia, holly, cotton jvood, willow, cypress, valnut and syca- 
more. 

There are 3756 acres of United States Government land 
some little State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $hOO to $25.00 per acre. 



WEST FELICIANA PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and contains 246,400 acres of land. 

The formation is blufl* and alluvial land, with some wooded 
sw'iamp. 



BUREAU OF IlVOnGEATION. 47 

It is drained by the Mississippi river, Bayous Tunica and 
Sara and Thompson's creek. 

A branch line of the Mississippi Valley railroad, from 
Slaughter Station to Woodville, Miss., extends through the 
parish. 

St. Francis ville, situat«d on the Mississippi river, is the 
parish seat. 

The water throughout the parish is abundant and of good 
quality. 

The chief crop product is cotton ; corn, hay, oats, beans, 
sweet and Irish jpotatoes, sorghum, sugar cane and tobacco are 
raised. 

The timber is cypress, cottonwood, willow, oak, pine, beech, 
gum, elm, magnolia, holly, hackberry, hickory, poplar, sycamore, 
walnut and persimmon. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, prunes, pomegranates, 
figs, quinces and grapes. 

Live stock thrive remarkably well and this parish has long 
been noted for its superior breeds of blooded cattle. Hogs? 
sheep and horses do well here. 

Game abound, such as deer, coons, opossums, foxes, rabbits, 
squirrels, beavers, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, par- 
tridges, snipe, rice birds and woodcock. 

Excellent varieties of fish are taken from the lakes, bayous 
and creeks, among which are trout, bass, white perch and bar- 
fish . 

The Tunica hills are most suitable for grape culture and 
horticulture, the soil being a rich marl-loam. 

There are 800 acres of United States Government land and 
some State lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $2.00 to $25.00 per acre. 



FRANKLIN PARISH. 

Franklin parish is situated in the northeastern part of the 
State and contains 392,960 acres of land. 



48 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The formation is chiefly bluff land, with some alluvial land, 
wooded swamp and a little of prairie. The soil is very fertile 
and productive. 

It is drained by Boeuf river, Bayou Macon, Turkey and Deer 
creek and Turkey lake. 

The ISfew Orleans and Northwestern railroad passes through 
the parish. 

Winnsborough, situated on Turkey creek, is the parish seat. 

Water is plentiful and fairly good. 

Cotton is the chief crop for export; corn, oats, hay, sweet 
and Irish potatoes, beans and sorghum are produced. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, quinces, grapes, 
figs and pomegranates. 

The timber is oak, jiine, gum, elm, beech, holly, magnolia, 
hickory, poplar, cottonwood, willow, mulberry, maple and 
walnut. 

The live stock are cattle, hogs, sheep and some horses. 

Game abound, such as deer, bear, foxes, coons, opossums, 
beavers, mink, squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks and 
geese, partridges, snipe, woodcock, robins and rice-birds. 

Varieties of fish abound in the streams and lakes, among 
which are trout, bass, white perch and pike. 

There are 2207 acres of United States Government land and 
a large quantity of State public land in the parish. 

Private lands are AA^orth from $2.00 to $10.00 per acre. 



GEANT PARISH. 

This parish is situated near the center of the State and con- 
tains 407,040 acres of land. 

The formation is pine hills, with some alluvial land. It is 
drained by Red and Little rivers, Bayou Jatt, tke Rigolet De 
Bon Dieu and smaller streams. 

The Houston, Central Arkansas and Northern railroad passes 
through the eastern portions of the parish. 



BUREAU OF OIMIGE.ATION. 49 

Colfax, situated on Keel river, is the parish seat. 

Water is plentiful aud fairly good. 

The chief crop product is cotton, while corn, oats, hay, sweet 
and Irish potatoes, sorghum, tobacco and beans are raised. 

The fruits are peaches, plums, apples, pears, grapes, figs, 
pomegranates and quinces. 

The timber is i>ine, oak, gum, cottonwood, willow, elm, 
hickory and sycamore, with some magnolia and poplar. 

Live stock are raised, such as cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. 

Game is found, consisting of deer, foxes, coons, opossums, 
squirrels, rabbits, mink, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, 
woodcock, partridges, rice-birds and robins. 

Fish are found in the streams and lakes, the choice varieties 
of which are trout, bass, pike and white perch. 

Deposits of marble, limestone, kaolin, marl, lignite, fire-clay, 
potters'-clay, iron and gypsum exist. 

There are 59,300 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $1.00 to $25.00 per acre. 



IBEEIA PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southern part of the State and 
contains 426,880 acres. 

The formation is prairie, coast marsh, alluvial land, wooded 
swamp and bluff land ; the soil being very rich and highly pro- 
ductive. 

It is drained by Bayous Teche, Petit Anse and Coulee dn. 
Portage. 

The Southern Pacific railroad, with branch lines, extends 
through the parish. 

New Iberia, situated on Bayou Teche, is the parish seat. 

Water is good, rain water being chiefly used. 



50 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



The general crop production is sugar; rice, corn, oats, hay, 
beans, sweet and Irish potatoes and garden varieties are all 
grown extensively and are very profitable. 

The fruits are the orange, lemon, mandarin, fig, pomegranate^, 
guava, olive, plum, olive, pear, grape, banana, peach and prune. 

•The timber is composed of cypress, oak, gum, elm, cotton- 
wood, willow, sugar-wood and sycamore. 

Live stock raised are horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. 

Game exists, such as deer, coons, opossums, squirrels, rab- 
bits, wild ducks, wild geese, woodcocks, j)apabots, becasin, par- 
tridges, rice-birds, snipe and pheasants. 

Fish abound in the streams, lakes and inlets, among which 
are red-fish, x)ompano, salt water trout, crabs, trout, bass and 
traealae ; oysters and terrapin are found in the brackish waters 
of the coast marsh. 

There are 2160 acres of United States Government land in 
the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $8.00 to $30.00 per acre. 



IBERVILLE PAIflSH. 

This parish is situated in the south-central part of the State 
and contains 413,440 acres of land. 

The formation is wooded swamp and alluvial land, the soil 
of which is extremely rich and productive. It is drained by the 
Mississippi river — which passes through the eastern portion of 
tlie parish — and by Grand river. Bayou Goula, Plaquemiue, Mar- 
ingouin, Grosse Tete, Manchac and numerous other streams. 

The Texas Pacific railroad passes through the parish on the 
western coasi of the Mississippi river and the Mississippi Valley 
raih'oad through the eastern portion. 

Plaquemiue, situated on the western bank of the Missis- 
sippi, is the parish seat. 

Water is plentifid and good ; rain water being chiefly used- 

Sugar is the chief crop production, and corn, Hay, oats, rice, 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 51 

beans, i^weet aud Irish i^otatoes, and the garden varieties are 
extensively raised. 

The fruits are pears, peaches, figs, pomegranates, oranges, 
lemons, mandarins, plums, jirunes and grapes. 

Live stock are cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. 

The game found are deer, bear, coons, opossums, mink, 
squirels, rabbits, wild ducks and geese, snipe, becasiu, par- 
tridges and rice-birds. 

Fish are found in the streams, such as bass, pike, white 
perch and common varieties. 

There is some State public land in this parish. 

Private lands are worth from $3.00 to $50.00 i)er acre. 



JACKSON PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the north-central part of the State 
and contains 369,280 acres of land. 

The formation is good upland and pine hills ; soil generally 
good and fertile. 

It is drained by the tributaries of Dugdemoua river and 
Bayou Castor. 

Water is abundant and good. 

Vernon, situated in the northern part of the parish, is the 
parish seat. 

Cotton is the chief crop produced for export ; corn, hay, oats, 
sorghum, sweet and Irish potatoes, and beans are also raised. 

The fruits are peaches, apples, pears, quinces, plums, pome- 
granates and grapes. 

Cattle, hogs, sheep and horses are raised. 
Game is found, such as deer, coons, oi^ossums, squirrels, rab- 
bits, foxes, wild turkeys, partridges and woodcock. 

Fish of good quality, of the smaller varieties are found in 
streams. 



62 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The timber consists of piue, oak, beech, hickory, wahmt, elm 
and maple. 

There are 18,120 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $1.00 to $15.00 per acre. 



JEFFEESON PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and is divided by the Mississippi river, which passes its northern 
portion. 

It contains 385,920 acres, the formation being composed 
largely of coast marsh, while it has a creditable area of alluvial 
land and some wooded swamp. 

The soil is exceedingly rich and productive. 

It is drained by the Mississipf>i river, Lake Pontchartrain 
and Bayous Barataria, Rigolet, Des Families or Dauphiue, St. 
Dennis, Dupont and Grand bayou. 

The Texas Pacific, Southern Pacific, Gulf and Grand Isle, 
Illinois Central and Mississippi Valley railroads pass through 
the parish. 

Gretna, situated on the Mississippi river, is the parish seat- 

Water is good, rain water being chiefly used. 

Sugar is the principal crop produced, although rice, jute, 
corn, Irish potatoes and garden truck of all kinds are extensively 
ffrown. 

The fruits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, figs, pomegran- 
atees, plums, prunes, guavas, olives, bananas and grapes. 

Some cattle and hogs are raised. 

Game is found, consisting of snipe, becasin, papabots, wild 
ducks and geese, and rice-birds and coons, rabbits and opossums. 

The timber is limited to cypress, oak, elm and willow. 

Fish abound, and the oyster industry of this parish is the 
most extensive and superior along the Gulf coast. Terrapin, 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 53 



oysters, crabs, and the varieties of Gulf fish are taken in large 
numbers iu tke numerous inlets, bayous and lakes. 

There are 2000 acres of United States Government and a 
quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $5.00 to $50.00 per acre. 



LAFAYETTE PARISH. 

This parish ivS situated in the .southern part of the State and 
<x)ntains 152,900 acres of land, it being the third smallest parish 
in the State. 

Its formation is chiefly prairie, with some alluvial land aad 
bluff land along its eastern borders. 

The soil is very fertile and productive. 

It is drained by Bayous Carencro and Tortue and Vermilion 
river. 

The Southern Pacific railroad extends thi'ough the parish^ 
having a connecting line fi:oni' Lafayette to Cheneyville, in 
Eapides parish. 

Lafayette, situated on the Southern Pacific railroad, is the 
parish site. 

' Water is abundant and of good quality. 

Rice and sugar are the chief crop productions, and corn, 
oats, sweet and Irisli i)otatoes, beans and hay are extensively 
raised. 

The fruits are the orange, lemon, pear, grape, plum, prune 
and peach. 

Cattle, sheep, hogs and horses are raised. 

Game, such as snipe, becasin, plovers, wild ducks, par- 
tridges, pheasants and rice-birds are found. 

Some fish are taken from the streams of the parish. 

The timV)er is oak, willow, cottonwood, elm, some cypress^ 
sugar-wood, gum and sycamore. 

There is very little public laud rcuiainiug iu the parish. 

Private lands are worth frojn $5.00 to $15.00 per acre. 

4 



54 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

LAFOURCHE PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and contains 655,200 acres of land. 

The formation is alluvial land, wooded swamp and coast 
marsh. 

Soil exceedingly rich and productive. 

It is drained by Bayous Lafourche, Des Allemands and 
Crrand Bayou. 

The Southern Pacific raih'oad passes through the northern 
portion of the parish. 

Thibt>daux, situated on Bayou Lafourche, is the parish site. 

Water is good, rain water being generally used. 

Sugar is the chief product, and rice, corn, hay, oats, beans, 
jute and garden truck are grown. 

The fruits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, plums, guavais, 
olives, figs, pears, grapes, peaches x)eaches and bananas. 

The live stock raised here are mostly cattle and hogs. 

Game is found, such as snipe, becasin, wild ducks and geese, 
rice-birds, papabots, squirrels, opossums, coons and rabbits. 

Fishing is very good, and oysters, crabs, terrapin and the 
Crulf fish are found in waters of the coast marsh. 

The timber is cypress, oak, cottonwood, gum, elm and willow. 

There is a large area of State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $5.00 to 130.00 per acre. 



LINCOLN PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the northern part ©f the State and 
contains 368,000 acres of land. 

The formation is good upland, the soil being fertile and pro- 
ductive. 

It is drained by Bayou D'Arbonne and smaller streams. 

The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific railroad passes 
through the parish. 

Riiston, situated on this line, is the parish seat. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 



\Yater is sufficient and of good quality. 

The chief crop product is cottou ; coru, oats, hay, sorghum 
wheat, tobacco, sweet and Irish potatoes and beans being also 
extensively raised. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, plums, apples, quinces asd 
grapes. 

Cattle, hogs, sheep and horses are raised. 

Game is found, consisting of deer, coons, foxes, opossums 
squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, woodcock, par- 
tridges and robins. 

Deposits of maM, potters'-clay, fire-clay and liguite are found. 
The timber is pine, oak, poplar, liickory, beech, maple, gum 
elm, walniit and persimmon. 

There are 3240 acres of United States Government land and 
some State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $1.00 to $18.00 per acre. 



LIVINGSTON PAEISH. 

This parish situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and contains 379,520 acres of land. 

The formation is bluff laud, pine flats, alluvial land and 
wooded swamps ; the soil being generally fertile and productive 
some of which is exceedingly rich. 

It is drained by the Amite and Ticfaw rivers and Colyell 
creeks and their branches. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

Port Vincent, on the Amite river, is the parish site. 

Cotton is the chief crop product ; corn, hay, oats, sorghum, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, tobacco and rice are raised. 

The fruits are peaches, plums, pears, apples, grapes, figs, 
pomegranates and quinces. 

Cattle, sheep, hogs and horses are raised. 



5C STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



Game abounds, sucli as deer, coons, opossums, foxes, squir- 
rels, rabbits, beavers, mink, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, 
partridges, rice-birds, robins, becasin au«l woodcock. 

Fisli, of excellent quality, are found in the streams. 

The timber is jiine, oak, gum, ash, elm, beecli, magnolia, 
holly, poplar, hickory, willow, cottouwood, sycamore and per- 
45iiamou. 

There are 13,720 acres of United States Government land 
a-Jid a large amount of State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $1.00 to $15.00 per acre. 



MADISON PAKISH. 

This parish is situated in the northeastern part of the State 
and contains 437,760 acres of land. 

The formation is alluvial land and wooded swamp ; the soil 
very fertile and productive. 

It is drained by the Mississippi and Tensas rivers, Bayous 
Ma^on, Vidal, Eoundaway and Walnut. 

The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific railroad passes 
through the parish. 

Tallulah, situated on this line, is the parish site. 

Water is good, cistern water being in general use. 

Cotton is the chief crop product , corn, hay, oats, sweet and 
Irish potatoes, beans and sorghum are succC/SsfuUy raised. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, pomegranates, 
figs and grapes. 

The timber is oak, gum, cypress, cottouwood, willow, hack- 
berry, mulberry, locust, elm and i^ersimmon. 

The live stock raised are cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. 

Game abound, such as deer, bear, coons, opossums, squirrels, 
rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, robins, rice-birds, 
woodcock and partridges. 

There is good fishing in the streams and lakes. Bass, trout 
and white perch are found in these waters. 



BUREAJJ OF HkOIIGRATION. 5T 

There is very little TTnited States Government land in the 
parish, but a quantity of State j)ublic lands. 

Private land is worth from ^5.00 to $25.00 per acre. 



MOREHOUSE PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the northeastern pait of the Stat^ 
and contains 486,400 acres of land. 

The formation is alluvial land, good upland and wooded 
swamp ; soil rich and productive. 

It is drained by the Ouachita and Bceuf rivers and Bayous 
Bonne Idee, Bartholomew and Gallion. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific railroad passes 
through the extreme southern point and the Houston^ Central 
Arkansas and Northern railroad through the parish. 

Bastrop is the parish site. 

Cotton is the principal crop production for export ; corn, 
oats, hay, tobacco, sweet and Irish potatoes, beans and sorghum 
are also raised. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, quinces and 
grapes. 

The timber is oak, pine, cottonwood, gum, elm, cypress, 
poplar, hickory, holly, beech, magnolia, willow and persimmon. 

Live stock, such as cattle, hogs, sheep and some horses are 
raised. 

Game is found, consisting of deer, coons, foxes, opossums, 
squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, woodcock. snij>e, 
robins, partridges and rice-birds. 

Fish, of good quality, are found in the streams. 

There are 12,590 ai'res of United States Government land 
and a large amount of State public lands. 

Private lands are worth froni $1.00 to $18.00 per acre. 



58 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH. 

Natcliitocbes parish is situated in the west-ceutral part of 
the State and contains 825,G00 acres of land. 

The formation is alluvial laud, good upland and pine flats ; 
soil generally good and very producti\'e. 

It is drained by Eed and Cane rivers and Bayous Saline, 
Pierre and Natchez and the Eigolet De Bon Dieu. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

The Texas Pacific railroad extends through the i)ari>sh. 

Natchitoches, situated on Cane river, is the j)ari8h site. 

A branch line of railroad connects this town with the Texas 
Pacific line at Prudhomnie Station. 

Cotton is the chief crop raised for export ; while corn, oats, 
tobacco, hay, beans, sorghiTni and sweet and Irish potatoes are 
I)roduced. 

The Natchitoches tobacco enjoys world-wide reputation. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, quinces, pome- 
gTanates, figs and giapes. 

The timber is pine, oak, gum, cottonwood, elm, willow, 
cypress, holly magnolia, hickory, walnut, poi)lar maple and per- 
simmon. 

Cattle, sheep, hogs and horses me raised. 

Game, such as deer, coons, foxes, opossums, rabbits, squir- 
rels, wild turkeys and ducks, woodcock, partridges and rice-bLi"ds. 

Fish, of good quality, are fouiul in the streams. 

Deposits of lignite, marl, marble, limestone, kaolin, iron, fire- 
clay and potters'-clay exist. 

There are 73,170 acres of United States Government land 
and some State public land in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $1.00 to $30.00 per acre. 



ORLEANS I»ARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
aud contains 127,360 acres ; it being the smallest parish in area? 
in ttie State. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 59 



The forination is alluvial land, coast marsh and wooded 
swamp. 

It is drained by the Mississippi river, Lakes Pontchartrain 
and Borgne, and Bayous St. John and Gentilly. 

Most of the railroads of the State converge here in the city 
of New Orleans, which is the parish site. 

The chief crops grown «re garden truck ; and corn, sugar, 
rice, jute, sweet and Irish potatoes are raised. 

The fruits are the orange, lemon, mandarin, olive, prune, 
grape, fig, pomegranate, pear, peach and the smaller varieties. 

The timber is cypress, oak, gum, elm, hackberry, cotton- 
wood and willow. 

Some, cattle, hogs and horses are raised here. 

Very little game abounds, though fishing is very good in the 
lakes and brackish waters, where oysters, crabs, terrapin, and 
the varieties of Gulf fish are taken. 

There is no United States Government in the parish, but a 
little amount of State public land. 

Private land is high, ranging from $50 to $300 i)er acre. 



OUACHITA PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the northern portion of the Stat^ 
and contains 409,600 acres of land. 

The formation is good upland, alluvial land and wooded 
swamp ; soil good and productive. 

It is drained by Ouachita river and Bayous Boeuf and Ld,- 
fourche. 

Water is abundant and fair. 

The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific and the Houston, 
Central Arkansas and Northern railroads pass through th« 
parish. 

Monroe, situated on the Ouachita river, is the parish site. 



60 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



Cotton is the chief crop product for export ; corn, oats, hay^ 
sorghum, tobacco, sweet and Irish potatoes, beans and garden 
truck are extensively raised. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, plums, apples, figs, pome- 
granates, grapes, quinces and the smaller varieties. 

The timber is oak, gum, cottonwood, willow, cypress, beech, 
holly, magnolia, poplar, persimmon and hickory. 

Live stock raising embraces cattle,[sheep, hogs and horses. 

Game consists of wild turkeys, partridges, wild ducks and 
geese, robins, woodcock, coons, opossums, rabbits and squirrels. 

Fishing is good in the streams and lakes ; bass, trout and 
other fish are taken. 

There are 31,520 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public land in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $2.00 to 850.00 per acre. 



PLAQUEMINES PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and is divided by the Mississippi river, which passes through it. 

The formation is alluvial laud and coast marsh ; the soil 
being exceedingly rich and productive. 

It is drained by the Mississippi river and Bayous Cheniere- 
"Wilkinson, Long, Terre an Bn^uf, Yacherie, Dupout and Grand 
Bayou. 

The Grand Isle and Gulf railroad passes down the western 
coast of the Mississipin. and the Mississippi Terre au Ba-uf and 
Lake road, down the eastern coast. 

Pointe-a-la-Hache, situated on the Mississippi river, is the 
parish site. 

Cistern water is mostly used. 

The chief crop produ< tious are sugar and rice: corn, jute 
and truck vaiieties are grown. 

Fruits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, olives, bananas, fig& 
guavas, grapes and prunes. 



BUREAU OF nOIIGRATICm. 61 

Timber is cypress, willow, elm, oak and cottouwood. 

Some cattle are raised aud a few hogs. 

Game are becasiu, suipe, rice-birds, wild ducks, geese and 
swan, papabots, coons, mink and opossums. 

Fishing is excellent, and crab, sheepshead, pompano, red- 
fish, flounder, salt water trout, Spanish mackerel, oysters, ter- 
rapin and shrimp abound. 

There are 4970 acres of United States Government land and 
a quantity of State public land in the i)arish. 

Private land is worth from $10 to $100 per acre. 



POINTE COUPEE PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the east-central part of the State 
and contains 308,000 acres of laud. 

The formation is alluvial land and wooded swamp. 

It is drained by the Mississippi, Atchafalaya and False 
rivers and Bayous Jetsworth, Latenactie, Fordoche, Portage and 
Poydras. 

Water is abundant throughout the parish. 

New Roads is the parish site. 

Sugar and cotton are the chief crop products, and corn, 
oats, beans, hay, sweet and Irish potatoes, rice, tobacco and 
garden truck are raised. 

The fruits are pears, peaches, plums, apples, figs, pomegran- 
ates and grapes. 

The timber is cypress, pecan, oak, ash, gum, elm, hackberry, 
willow, Cottonwood, magnolia and persimmon. 

Live stock are cattle, hogs and horses. 

Game is found, consisting of deer, bear, coons, opossums, 
rabbits, squirrels, wild turkeys, ducks and geese, partridges, 
becasin, rice-birds and woodcock. 

Fishing is very good in the lakes and streams; bass, trout, 
white perch and pike are taken. 

There is very little public land in this parish. 

Private lands are worth from $2.00 to $50.00 per acre. 



62 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

EAPIDES TAEISH, 

Kapides is the central parish of the State and contains 
975,440 acres of land. 

The formation is pine flats and alluvial land with some bluff 
land and prairie. 

In the alluvial, bluff and prairie sections the soil is very 
fertile and productive, the chocolate formation being very rich. 

It is drainftl by Red and Calcasieu rivers and Bayous Saline, 
Eapides, Boiuf, Flacon and Cocodrie. 

The Texas Pacific railroad, the Kansas City, Watkius and 
Gulf and the Houston, Central Arkansas and l!forthern railroads 
pass through the parish. 

Alexandria, situated on Red river, is the i^arish site. 

Water is abundant and good. 

Cotton and sugar are the chief crop productions for export. 
Corn, oats, hay, beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, rice, tobacco 
and garden truck are produced. 

The fruits are peaches, i)ears, plums, figs, pomegranates, 
grapes, apples and the smaller varieties. The wild May-haw 
grows abundantly throughout the parish ; this fruit has no supe- 
rior for jellying purposes. 

The timber is pine, oak, cypress, cottonwood, hickory, wil- 
low, locust, sycamore and gum. 

Cattle, sheep, hogs and horses are raised. 

Game is found, consisting of squirrels, rabbits, coons, opos- 
sums, foxes, deer, wild turkeys, wild ducks, snipe, woodcock, 
partridges, rice-birds and robins. 

Fishing is good in the streams. 

There are 51,410 acres of United States Government land 
and some quantity of State public land in the parish. 

Private land is worth from 11.50 to 150.00 per acre. 



RED RIVER PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the northwestern part of the State 
a«d contains 256,000 acres of laud. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 63 

The formatiou is good upland and alluvial land, the soil 
being rich and productive. 

It is drained by Eed river and Grand and Blacklake bayous. 

Water is plentiful and gener.illy good. 

("■oushatta, situated on Red river, is the parish site. 

Ootfou is the chief crop product; corn, oats, hay, beans, 
sweet and Irish i)otatoes and the garden varieties all yield good 
returns. 

The fruits are peaches, dears, plums, apples,- iwmegranates, 
grapes, quinces and figs. 

The timber is oak, pine, cypress, gum, elm, beech, maple, 
holly, Cottonwood, sycamore, poplar, hickory, willow and per- 
simmon. 

The live stock raised are cattle, ho^s and sheeps. 

Game is abundant, such as squirrels, coons, opossums, rab- 
bits, ileer, wild turkeys, partridges, robins, wild ducks and wood- 
cock. 

Fish are found in the streams, among which are the trout, 
bass, pike and bar-tish. 

There are 38,000 acres of United States Government land 
und some State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $1.00 to Si40.00 per acre. 



KICHLAND PARISH. 

This i)arish is situated in the northeastern part of the State 
ani contain s 369,920 acres of land. 

The formation is bluft land, alluvial land and a little wooded 
swamp ; soil fertile and productive. 

It is drained by Bceuf river and Bayou Maoon, Lafourche 
and Big creek. 

Water is abundant and generally good. 

The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific and the New Orleans 
and Northwestern railroads pass through the parish. 

Rayville, situated o» these lines of railroad, is the parish 
site. A 



64 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

Cotton is the chief crop procliiced for export; corn, oats, 
hay, sorghum, beans, sweet and Irish potatoes and garden varie- 
ties are grown. 

The fruits are peaches, apples, pears, plums, grapes, figs,. 
pomegranates and quinces. 

Live stock raised are mostly cattle and hogs. • 

Game is found, consisting of deer, coons, opossums, rabbits,, 
squirrels, wild turkeys, wild ducks, partridges,rice- birds, wood- 
cock and snipe. 

Fish, of good quality, are abundant in the streams and lakes^ 

The timber is oak, gum, cypress, Cottonwood, willow, pecan,, 
hickory, poplar and persimmon. 

There are only 800 acres of United States Government land 
and a limited amount of State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $2.00 to $30.00 per acre. 



sabi:n^e parish. 

This parish is situated in the western j)art of the State and 
contains 645,120 acres of land. 

The formation is good upland, pine flats and a small area of 
alluvial land extending along the Sabine river ; soil is generally 
good and productive. 

It is drained by the Sabine river and Bayous St. Patrice^ 
San Miguel, Lonnan, Negreet and Toreau. 

The Texas Pacific railroad passes through its northeastern 
corner. 

Many, situated on Hampton bayou, is the parish site. 

Water is plentiful and of good quality. 

Cotton is the principal crop product for export ; corn, hay, 
oats, sorghum, beans, sweet and Irish i)otatoes and the garden 
and truck varieties are raised. 

The fruits are peaches, apples, pears, plums, quinces, figs, 
pomegranates and grapes. 

Live stock rllsed are cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 65 



Game is prevaleut, consisting of deer, coons, foxes, opossums, 
beaver, rabbits, wild turkeys, snipe, partridges, robins, rice- 
birds, woodcock and wild ducks. 

Tbe timber is pine chiefly, with oak, gum, elm, maple, wal- 
nut, poplar, sycamore and hickorj^. 

Deposits of lignite, marble, limestone, potters'- clay, Fuller's- 
€arth, lire clay, gypsum and marl exist. 

There are 95,500 acres of United States Government land 
and some State public land in the parish. 

Private laud is worth from $1.00 to $15.00 per acre. 



ST. BERNARD. 

This parish is situated in the extreme soutlieastern part of 
the State and contains 435,205 acres. 

The formation is coast-marsh and alluvial land. 

It is drained by the Mississippi river. Lake Borgue, and 
Bayous Terre au Boeuf, La L'outre and Biloxi. 

The Mississippi, Terre au Ba?uf and Lake railroad, having a 
line extending to Shell Beach, on Lake Borgue, passes through 
the parish. 

St. Bernard, situated on the Mississippi river, is the parish 
site. 

Sugar is the chief crop product; but rice, jute and the gar- 
den and truck varieties are extensively raised. 

The fruits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, figs, bananas, 
grapes, guavas, olives and prunes. 

Some few cattle and hogs are raised here. 

Game consists of becasin, snipe, rice-birds, papabots, wild 
ducks, coons, opossums, squirrels and rabbits. 

Fish, of fine quality, are plentiful ; oysters, crabs and terra- 
pin are also found. 



66 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The timber is oak, cypress, willow, pecan, elm, pine and 
gum. 

There are 2380 acres of United States Government land and 
a large area of State public land in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $6 00 to $50.00 per acre. 



ST. CGARLES PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and is divided by the Mississippi river, which passes through its 
northern portion. 

It contains 251,520 acres, the formation being coast-marsh 
and alluvial laud, with a little wooded swamp. The soil is very 
fertile and productive. 

It is drained by the Mississippi river, Bayou Des Allemands 
and Lakes Poutchartrain and Washa or Quasha Barataria. 

The Illinois Central, the Mississippi Valley, the Texas Pa- 
cific and the Southern Pacific railroads pass through the parish. 

Hahnville, situated on the west coast of the Mississippi 
river, is the parish site. 

Drinking water is good, consisting chielly of cistern water. 

Sugar is the chief crop product ; rice, corn, Irish and sweet 
potatoes, jute, beans and garden truck are extensively grown. 

The truits are the orange, fig, grape, lemon, mandarin, 
prune, guava, plum, olive and pomegranate. 

Cattle and hogs arc raised on a limited scale. 

Game consists of becasin, snipe, rice-birds, wild ducks, 
swan, squirrels, coons, opossums and rabbits. 

Fishing is good in the lakes and bayous. 

The timber is oak, cypress, cottonwood, gum, pecan *and 
willow. 

There is little, if any, public land within the parish. 

Private land is worth from $20.00 to $75.00 per acre. 



BUREAU OF EMMIGRATION. 67 

ST. HELENA PARISH. 

This parish is situated iu the southeastern part of the State 
and contains 264,320 acres of land. 

The formation is pine hills and bluff land ; soil fertile and 
productive. 

It is drained by the Amite and Ticfaw rivers and their 
branches. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

Greensburg, situated near the Ticfaw river, is the parish 
site. 

Cotton is the chief crop production ; corn, oats, hay, beans, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum and tobacco are raised. 

The fruits are pears, grapes, plums, apples, peaches, quinces 
and the smaller varieties. 

Live stock are cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. 

The timber is pine, oak, beech, magnolia, holly, gum, 
hickory, poplar and persimmon. 

Game is found, such as deer, coons, opossums, foxes, squir- 
rels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, partridges, woodcocks 
and robins. 

Fish are found in the rivers and other streams, the Ticfaw 
being noted for its fine quality and quantity of trout. 

There are 2780 acres of United States Government land and 
some State public land in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $1.00 to $20.00 per acre. 



ST. JAMES PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and is divided by the Mississippi river. 

It contains 219,520 acres of land, the soil being very fertile 
and productive. 

The formation is alluvial land, wooded swamp and a little 
coast marsh. 



68 STATE f F LOUISIANA. 

It is draiued by tlie Mississippi river, Bayou Des Acadiens 
and several small bayous. 

Water is plentiful and fair. 

The Mississippi Valley and the Texas Pacific railroads pass 
through the parish. 

Convent, situated on the east bank of the Mississippi river, 
is the parish site. 

Sugar is the chief crop product; rice, corn, tobacco, hay, 
oats, beans and sweet and Irish potatoes are raised. The famous 
Perique tobacco is almost exclusively raised in this parish. 

Figs, oranges, lemons, mandarins, gurvas, plums, peaches, 
pears, grapes and pomegranates are grown. 

Game consists of becasin, snipe, rice-birds, squirrels, coons, 
opossums, rabbits and some few deer and bear. 

Fish are found in the bayous and lagoons, of good quality, 
among them bass and pike. 

The timber is cypress, oak, gum, pecau, elm, willow and 
Cottonwood. 

There is some State public land in the j)arish. 

Private lands are worth from $20.00 to $50.00 per acre. 



ST. JOHN BAPTIST PAEISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part ot the State 
and is divided by the Mississippi river. 

It contains 147,200 acres and the formation is alluvial land, 
wooded swamp and coast-marsh. The soil is rich and productive. 

It is drained by the Mississippi river and Lakes Pontchar- 
train, Maurepas and Des Allemands. 

Water is abundant and fairly good. 

The Mississippi Valley, the Illinois Central and the Texas 
Pacific railroads extend through the parish. 

Edgard, situated on the west bank of the Mississippi river, 
is^the parish site. 

Sugar is the chief crop product ; rice, oats, corn, hay, sweet 
and Irish potatoes, beans and jute are also produced. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 09 

Oranges, figs, grapes, plums, guavas and pomegranates art 
grown. 

Some few cattle and hogs are raised. 

Game consists of squirrels, coons, opossums, rabbits, wild 
ducks, becasin, snipe and rice-birds ; some few deer and bear 
are found. 

Fish, of good quality, abound in the lakes and bayous. 

The timber is cypress, oak. gum, elm, cottonwood, pecan 
and willow. 

There is some State public land in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $20.00 to $50.00 per acre. 



ST. LANDBi" PARISH. 

St. Landry is situated in the south-central part of the State 
and contains 1,077,120 acres of land. 

The formation is prairie, alluvial land, pine flat?, wooded 
swamp and a little bluff land. The soil is very fertile and pro- 
ductive. 

It is drained by the Atchafalaya river and Bayous ' Rouge, 
Courtableau, Teche, Boeuf, Cocodrie and Nezpique. 

Water is plentiful and of good quality. 

The Texas Pacific railroad passes through the northeastern 
portion and the branch road of the Southern Pacific, extending 
from Lafayette to Cheueyville, runs through the parish. 

Opelousas, situated on Bellevue bayou, is the parish site. 

Cotton, rice and sugar are the chief crop produced for export, 
and corn, oats, hay, sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, sorghum 
and the garden varieties and truck are extensively raised. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, plums, apples, grapes, quinces, 
figs, pomegranates, persimmons and the smaller varieties. 

Live stock are extensively raised, sheep, cattle, horses and 
hogs all do remarkably well here and are a very profitable invest- 
ment. 



70 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

Game is fouud, cousisting of squirrels, opossums, rabbits, 
beavers, deer, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, woodcock, 
becasin, partridges, pheasants, snipe and rice-birds. 

Fish abound in the streams, such as, bass, trout and pike. 

The timber embraces pine, oiik, beech, magnolia, holly, gum, 
elm, persimmon, hickory, pc-cati, walnut, willow and sycamore. 

There are 30,600 acres of United States Government land 
and some State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $2.00 to $40.00 per acre. 



ST. MARTIN'S PAEISH. 

This parish is situated in the southern part of the State and 
contains 395,520 acres. 

The formation is wooded swamp, prairie, alluvial land and 
a small area of bluff land 5 soil fertile and productive. 

It is drained by the Atchafalaya river. Bayous Teche, Tor- 
tue, La Rose, L'Embarras and Catahoula coulee. 

St. Martinsville, situated on the Teche, is the parish site, 
and is connected -with the Southern Pacific railroad at Cades' 
Station. 

Sugar IS the chief crop production; rice, corn, oats, hay, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, tobacco, cotton, and the garden varie- 
ties are also grown. 

The truits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, guavas, grapes, 
plums, prunes, pomegranates, peaches, pears, figs, apples, per- 
simmons and quinces. 

Cattle, sheep, hogs and horses are raised. 

Game, such as partridges, rice-birds, pheasants, wild tur- 
keys, squirrels, rabbits, coons, opossums and a few deer are 
found. 

Fish are plentiful in the bayous, lakes and lagoons. 

The timber embraces cypress, oak, gum, elm, willow, cotton- 
wood sugarwood and sycamore. 

There are 1200 acres of United States Government land in 
this parish. 

Private laud is worth from $5.00 to 140.00 per acre. 



BUREAU OF IM]VnORATION. 71 



ST. MARY'S PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southern part of the State and 
contains 41i,72(> acres. 

Its formation is coast marsh, alluvial land, prairie, wooded 
swamp and a small amount of bluff" land. The soil is exceed- 
ingly rich and productive. 

It is drained by the Atchafalaya river, Grand lake, and 
Bayous Teche, Sale and Cypremort. 

The Southern Pacific railroad extends through the parish. 

Franklin, situated on the Teche, is the parish site. 

Water is plentiful and good. 

Sugar is the chiet crop product ; rice, corn, oats, hay, beans, 
sweet and Irish potatoes and garden varieties are extensively 
raised. 

The fruits are the orange, lemon, mandarin, fig, grape, per- 
simmon, pomegranate, guava, plum, peach, pear, olive, banana 
and prune. 

Cattle, hogs and some horses are raised. 

Game consists of snipe, becasin, pheasants, rice-birds, par- 
tridges squirrels, rabbits, coons and opossums. 

Fish are plentiful in the bayous, lakes, lagoons and inlets, 
and oysters, crabs and terrapin are taken in the brackish waters. 

The timber is cypress, oak, cotton wood, gum, elm and willow. 

There are only 500 acres of United States Government land 
in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $10.00 to loO.OO per acre. 



ST. TAMMANY PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State 
and contains 590,720 acres of land. 

The formation is pine hills, pine flats, alluvial land and 
wooded swamp : soil fertile and productive. ' 



72 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

Tt is draJned by Pearl river, West Penrl. Chefnnotee (or 
Tchefuncta) river and Bogiie Chitto, Bogue Phalia and other 
■streams. 

The New Orleans and IS^ottheasLern railroad, belonging- to 
the Queen and Crescent System, passes through the parish. 

Covington, situated on the Bogue Phalia, is the parish site. 
It is connected with the New Orleans and Northeastern railroad 
at West Pearl Station. 

Sugar, rice, cotton, cotn, hay, oats, beans, sweet and Irish 
potatoes and truck and garden varieties are extensively raised. 

The fruits are peaches, plums, pears, apples, figs, prunes,, 
grapes, pomegranates, quinces and i>ersimmons. 

Cattle, hogs, sheep and a few horses are raised. 

Game consists of squirrels, rabbits, coons, opossums, deer, 
wild turkeys, wild ducks, papabots, becasin, snipe, partridges 
and rice-birds. 

Fish are plentiful in the streams and lakes, fine trout, bass 
and pike are taken. 

The timber is pine, oak, cypress, gum, elm and hickory. 

There are 18,250 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $2.00 to $20.00 per acre. 



TANGIPAHOA PAEISH. 

This parish is situated iu the southeastern part of the State 
and contains 505,600 acres of land. 

The formation is pine hills, pine flats, wooded swamps and 
a small amount of alluvial land. The soil is fertile and pro- 
ductive. 

It is drained by the Tangipahoa, Chefunctee, Natalbany and 
Pontchatoula rivers, Chappapeela creek and numerous smaller 
streams. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

The Illinois Central railroad extends through the parish. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 73 

Amite City, situated on this line of road and on the Tangi- 
pahoa river, is the piarish site. 

Cotton is the chief crop product, and corn, oats, hay, sugar^ 
rice tobacco, sorghum, sweet and Irish potatoes, beans and truck 
and garden varieties are grown. 

Fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, grapes, quinces, 
:figs, pomegranates, persimmons and a variety of the smaller 
kinds. The shipment of strawberries is quite extensive. 

Cattle, hogs, sheep and horses are raised; 

The timber is pine, oak, ash, gum elm, hickory, magnolia, 
holly, poplar, cucumber, cottonwood, willow, beech and syca- 
more. 

Game is found, such as squirrels, coons, opossums, foxes, 
rabbits, deer, wild turkeys, wild ducks, woodcock, snipe, becasin, 
rice-birds, partridges and robins. 

Fish, of excellent quality, are taken from the streams; 
trout, bass, pike and blue cat are found. 

There are 16,460 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public land in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $2.00 te $25.00 per acre. 



TENSAS PAEISH. 

This parish is situated in the northeastern part of the State 
and contains 410,240 acres ot land. 

The formation is alluvial lauds and wooded swamp; soil 
very rich and productive. 

It is drained by the Mississippi and Tensas rivers, ana 
Bayous Vidal, Durossett, Choctaw and Clark's bayou. 

Water is plentiful and fair. 

St. Joseph, situated on the Mississippi river is the parish 
site. 

Cotton is the chief crop product for export ; corn, hay, oats, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, and garden varieties are grown. 

The fruits are peaches, plums, pears and apples. 



74 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



Cattle, bogs and some sheep and horses are raised. 
The timber is oak, gum, cypress, cottouwood, pecau, per- 
simmon, magnolia, elm, sycamore and willow. 

Game is found, such as squirrels, rabbits, deer, bear, wild 
turkeys, wild ducks and geese, woodcock, snipe, partridges, 
plover, rice-birds and robins. 

Fish, in quantity, are taken from the lakes and bayous •, 
bass, trout, white perch and pike are found. 

There are only 200 acres ot United States Government land 
in the parish, but quite a large area of State public lands. 

Private land is worth from $2.00 to $50.00 per acre. 



TEREEBONKE PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the southern part of the State and 
contains 1,265,280 acres. 

The formarion is largely composed of coast marsh with a 
considerable area of alluvial lands and wooded swamp. The- 
soil is exceedingly rich and productive. 

It is drained partially by Black, De Large, Grand and 
Petite Caillou bayous, and Blue and Blue Hammock bayous. 

Houma, situated on Bayou De Large, is the. parish site. It 
is connected with the Southern Pacific railroad at Schriever 
Station. 

Sugar and rice are the chief crop productions 5 jute, beans, 
hay and Irish potatoes are grown. 

The fruits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, olives, bananaiSy 
prunes, figs, pomegTcinates, guavas and plums. 

The timber is oak, cypress, gum, elm and willow. 

Some cattle and hogs are raised. 

Game is found, such as wild ducks and geese, papabots, 
jack-snipe, becasin, pheasants, and rice-birds. 

Fish, of fine qualities, are found; sheepshead, pompano^ 
salt water trout, Spanish mackerel, pike and crabs. Oysters 
and terrapin are also found. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. • 75 

There are 2000 acres of United States Government land and 
a large area of State public lands iu the parish. 

Private land is worth from $5.00 to $50.00 i)er acre. 



UNION PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the northern part of the State and 
contains 582,700 acres of land. 

The formation is good upland and alluvial lands. The soil 
is very fertile and i^roductive. 

It is drained by the Ouachita river. Bayou D'Arbonne and 
affluents of these streams, 

Farmerville, situated near Bayou D'Arbonne, is the parish 
site. 

Water is abundant and pf good quality. 

Cotton is the chief crop product, and corn, oats, hay, wheat, 
buckwheat, sorghum, beans, sweet and Irish potatoes and tobacco 
are raised. 

The fruits are peaches, apples, pears, plums, grapes, pome- 
granates, figs and quinces. 

The timber is pine, oak, beech, hickory, maple, walnut, 
holly, gum, elm and poplar. 

Live stock raised comprise cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. 

Game consists of squirrels, rabbits, coons, opossums, foxes, 
a few deer, wild turkeys, wild ducks, woodcock, partridges and 
robins. 

Trout, bar-fish and speckled and blue cat are found among 
the fish in the streams. 

There are '27,400 acres of United States Government land 
and quite a large area of State public land in the parish. 

Private land is worth from $1.00 to $20.00 per acre. 



VERMILION PARISH. 

Vermilion parish is situated in the southwestern part of the 
State and contains 800,000 acres of land. 



76 , STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The formation is coast marsli, prairie and alluvial lands ; 
soil rich and productive. 

It is drained by the Vermilion river and Bayou Queue de 
Tortue and Fresh Water. 

Abbeville, situated on the Vermilion river, is the parish site. 

Sugar and rice are the chief crop products; corn, oats, hay, 
l)eans, sweet and Irish potatoes and truck varieties are raised. 

The fruits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, plums, guava;^? 
figs, peaches, prunes, pomegranates and grapes. 

The timber varieties are oak, gum, elm, cypress, pecan, 
Cottonwood and willow. 

Live stock raised are cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. 

Game consists of rice-birds, pheasants, becasin, snipe, par- 
tridges, papabots and wild ducks. 

Fish are taken from the streams and inlets, and crabs, oys- 
ters, diamond-back terrapins and salt water varieties of fish are 
found. 

There are 400 acres of United States Government land and 
a quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $2.00 to $30.00 per acre. 



VEENOX PARISH. 

This iDarish is situated in the western part of the State and 
contains 985,600 acres of land. 

The formation is chiefly pine hills, with a little prairie and 
alluvial lands. 

The soil is fairly productive. 

It is drained by the Sabine and Calcasieu rivers and Bayous 
Oomrade, Castor, Anacoco and numerous small streams. 

Water is abundant and of good quality. 

Leesville, situated near Bayou Castor, is the parish site. 

Cotton is the chief crop product, and corn, hay, oats, beans, 
iSweet and Irish potatoes and sorghum are grown. 



BURBAU OF IMMIGRATION. 77 

The fruits are peaclies, pears, apples, figs, pomegranates, 
plums and grapes. 

Live stock comprise cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. 

Game consists of deer, squirrels, coons, opossums, rabbits, 
mink, beaver, wild turkeys, wild ducks, partridges, woodcock, 
pheasant, becasin, snipe, plover and rice-birds. 

There are fine varieties of fish found in the streams, among 
them trout, pike, bar-fish and bass. 

The timber is pine, oak, elm, gum, pecan, willow, hickory 
and Cottonwood. 

There are 115,520 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private land is worth from |2.00 to §25.00 per acre. 



WASH^GTOK PAEISH. 

This parish is situated in the northeast corner of the south- 
east portion of the State and contains 427,520 acres of land. 

The formation is pine hills, with a little alluvial land along 
its eastern border. 

The soil is fairly good. 

It is drained by Pearl river, Bogue Chitto and Chefunctee 
creek. 

Water is abundant and good. 

Franklinton, situated on the Bogue Ohitto, is the parish 
site. 

Cotton is the chief crop product ; hay, oats, corn, sweet and 
Irish potatoes, tobacco, sorghum, beans and the truck varieties 
are grown. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, plums, api)les, figs, quinces, 
pomegranates and grapes. 

Live stock are cattle, horses, hogs and sheep. 

Game is found, such as deer, foxes, coons, opossums, squir- 
rels, rabbits, beaver, wild turkeys, wild ducks, partridges, wood- 
cock, rice-birds and robins. 



78 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

Fish abound in the creeks and among the varieties are trout^ 
bar-fish, bass and pike. 

The timber is pine, beech, holly, poplar, gum, elm, magnolia, 
oak and maple. 

There are 21,621 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $1.00 to $25.00 per acre. 



WEBSTER PARISH. 

This parish is situated in the northwestern part of the State 
and contains 31)3,600 acres of land. 

The formation is good uplands and alluvial lands. 
The soil is very good and fertile. 

It is drained by Dorchite, Crows and Black Lake bayous 
and Lake Bisteneau. 

The water is plentiful and fairly good. 

The Yicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific railroad extends 
through the parish. 

Minden is the chief crop product, and corn, hay, oats, beans, 
sorghum, sweet and Irish potatoes and tobacco are grown. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, figs, grapes, 
pomegranates and quinces. 

Salt deposits exist and beds of potters' clay, fire-clay lignite 
and marl are found. 

Timber is pine, oak, gum, hickory, beech, holly, elm, poplar, 
walnut and maple. 

Live stock raised are cattle, sheep, hogs and a few horses. 

Game consists of squirrels, deer, foxes, rabbits, coons, opos- 
sums, wild turkeys, Avild ducks, woodcock, robins and partridges. 

Fish, of good qualities, are found in the streams. 

There are 12,800 acres of United States Government land 
and some State public lands in the parish. 

Private lands are worth trom $1.25 to $20.00 per acre. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 



WINN PARISH. 

AViuu parish is situated near the central part of the State 
and coutains 610,500 acres of land. 

The^formatiou is pine hills, with a small amount of good 
uplands. 

The soil is fair and in the creek bottoms very good. 

It is drained by the Dugdemona river, Saline bayou, Flat 
creek, Bayou Jatt and other streams. 

The water is abundant and fairly good. 

Wiunfield, situated near the center, is the parish site. 

Cotton is the chief product; corn, hay, oats, beans, sweet 
and Irish potatoes, sorghum and tobaccco are grown. 

The fruits are peaches, pears, plums, apples, figs, quinces, 
grapes and pomegranates. 

The timber comprises pine, oak, elm, hickory and gum. 

Live stock are cattle, sheep and hogs. 

Game consists of deer, coons, opossums, foxes, squirrels, 
rabbits, wild, turkeys, robins, woodcock and partridges. 

Fish, of good varieties, are found in the streams. 

There are deposits of salt, marble, lignite, kaolin, gypsum, 
limestone, irou, marble, fire-clay and potters'-clay. 

There are 104,490 acres of United States Government land 
and a quantity of State public laud in the parish. 

Private lands are worth from $1.00 to $15.00 per acre. 



30 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



LOUISIANA RAILROADS. 



THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL SYSTEM. 

This system has two triiuk lines exiending from the city of 
New Orleans. The eastern line enters the State of Mississippi 
near Osyka. 

It passes through five parishes of this State, the stations 
being New Orleans ; Sauve and Kenner, Jefferson parish ; Fre- 
nier and Manchac, St. John's parish, and Pontchatoula, Ham- 
mond, Ticfaw, Independence, Amite City, Areola, Tangipahoa 
and Kentwood in Tangipahoa i^arish. 

This route penetrates the States of Mississippi, Tennessee, 
Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and South Dakota 
and touches the borders of Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska and 
Minnesota. 

The western line of this system, or the Mississippi Valley 
route, extends along or near the Mississippi river from New 
Orleans to Memphis, Tennessee, having two tap lines in Lou- 
isiana and a number of branch roads in Mississippi. 

It passes through ten parishes in this State, the following 
being the most important stations along the line : New Orleans; 
in Orleans parish ; Carrollton and Kenner, Jefferson parish ; 
Sarpys, St. Charles parish; St. Peters and Bonnet Carre, St. 
Johns parish; Angelina and Convent, St. James parish; Burn- 
side, New Eiver and Lane Postofifice, Ascension parish ; Iber- 
ville and St. Gabriel, Iberville parish ; Gardere, Baton Eouge, 
Baker and Zachary, East Baton Eouge parish ; Slaughter, 
Lindsay, Ethel, Clinton, Wilson and Norwood, East Feliciana 
parish, and Bayou Sara and Laurel Hill in West Feliciana 
parish. 



BUREAU OF IMMiaRATION. 81 

THE QUEEN AND CRESCENT SYSTEM, 

The Queen and Crescent System embraces the New Orleans 
and Northeastern and the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific 
lines, which extend through the State. 

The New Orleans and Northeastern route passes through 
two parishes. 

The important stations are New Orleans ; and Slidell and 
West Pearl Eiver Stations in St. Tammany parish. It enters 
the State of Mississippi at East Pearl Kiver. 

The Vicksburgj Shreveport and Pacific line extends from 
Vicksburg, Miss., to Shreveport and passes through eight par- 
ishes, having tap lines from Gibb's Station to Homer; from 
Gibb's Station to Bienville and from Sibley or Minden Junction 
to Minden. 

The most important stations are Delta, Tallulah, Barnes, 
Dallas and Waverlj'-, in Madison parish ; Delhi, Eayville and 
Girard, in Eichland parish ; Gordon, Monroe, Cheniere and Cal- 
houn, in Ouachita parish; Choudrant, Kuston, Allen, Greene 
and Simsboro, in Lincoln parish ; New Arcadia, Gibbs, Taylors 
and Bienville, in Bienville parish ; Homer, in Claiborne parish ; 
Dumberly, Sibley, Doyle and Minden, in Webster parish; 
Houghton and Bodcaw, in Bossier parish, and Shreveport, in 
Caddo parish. 

The East Louisiana Eailroad extends from West Pearl Biver 
Station, on the New Orleans and Northeastern line of the Queen 
and Crescent route, to Covington and lies within St. Tammany 
parish. Its principal stations are West Pearl, Abita and Cov- 
ington. 

THE LOUISVILLE AND NASHVILLE ROUTE. 

This great trunk line penetrates -the States of Mississippi, 
Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. 

It passes through two parishes and euteis the State of Mis, 
sissippi at the mouth of Pearl river. 

The stations along this line are New Orleans, Lee, Gentilly, 
Chef Menteur, Lake Catherine and Eigoletts, in Orleans parish, 
and Lookout, in St. Tammany parish. 



82 STATE OP LOUISIANA. 



THE TEXAS PACIFIC ROUTE. 

The Texas Pacific Railway extends from New Orleans in a 
northwestern direction and enters the State of T6xas near Was- 
koni Station. 

It has one branch road iu the State, extending from Baton 
Rouge Junction to the city of Baton Rouge. ^^^^ A^/^^^,^>£^ 

There is an independent branch line connecting with the main 
line at Prudehomiue Station ancrconnecting Mansfield with the 
main line at Mansfield Junction.' 

This route passes through sixteen parishes and the principal 
stations are Kew Orleans 5 Gonldsboro, Gretna and .lefferson, 
iu Jefferson parish; Davis, St. Charles and Dugan, St. Charles 
parish; St. John and Johnson, St. Johns parish; Vacherie, 
Delogney, St. James and Winchester. St. James parish ; Don- 
aldsonville, and McCalls, Ascension.parish ; White Castle, Bayou 
Goula, Indian Village, Plaquemine and Grosse Tete, Iberville 
parish; Baton Rouge Junction, Brusly Landing and Port Allen, 
West Baton Rouge parish ; Maringouin, Fordoche and Raven- 
wood, Pointe Coupee parish : Melville, Goshen, Rosa and Mor- 
rows, St. Landry parish; Bunkie, Avoyelles parish; Cheney- 
\'ille, Lecompte, Lamourie. Morelaud, Alexandria, Rapides, 
Boyce and Lena, Rapides parish : Chopin, Derry, Prudehomme, 
Provencal, Robeline and Marthaville, Natchitoches parish ; 
Sodus, Sabine parish ; Oxford. Mansfield, Grand Cane, Gloster 
and Stonewall, De Soto parish, and Keithville, Reisor, Shreve- 
port, Jewella, Becks and Greenw^ood, in Caddo j)arish. 

THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC ROUTE. 

This line extends from New Orleans in a westerly direction 
and has the following branches leading from the main line : 
From Schriever to Thibodaux, from Schriever to Houma, from 
Baldwin Station to Cypremort, from New Iberia to Petit A use 
Island or Avery's Salt Mines, from Cade's Station to St. Martins 
ville and Breaux's Bridge and an extensive line from Lafayette 
to Cheneyville, connecting there with the Texas Pacific Route. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION, 83 



The Texas Pacific passes tbrougli thirteen parishes aud the 
main line enters the State of Texas at Echo Station on the 
Sabine j'iver. 

The most important Stations in this State are New Orleans ; 
Gretna, Powell, Murragh, and Jefferson, in Jefferson parish ; 
Boutte aud Des Allemands, St. Charles parish; Eaceland, 
.B^kigJ?,*'Bousseau, Schriever and Thiodanx, Lafourche parish ; 
Houma, Chacahoula and Tigerville, Terrebonne parish ; Gibson 
and B<enf, Assumption parish; Eamos, Morgan City, Berwick, 
Patterson, Eicohoe, Bayou Sale, Franklin, Baldwin, Glencoe, 
Cypremort and Sorrell, St. Mary's parish ; Jeannerette, Olivier, 
New Iberia, Petit Anse, Segura and Burkes, Iberia parish; 
Cades, St. Martinsville and Breaux's Britl-c, St. Martins parish • 
Duchamp, Brousard, Lafayette, Scott and Carencro, Lafayette 
parish : Duson, Eayne, Crowley, Estherwood and Mermentau, 
Acadia parish ; Jennings, Evangeline, Welch, Lacassine, Iowa, 
Chloe, Lake Charles, West Lake, Lock Moore, Sulphur Mine, 
Edg-erly. Yinton, Sabine, Jacksonville and Echo, Calcasieu 
parish ; Grand Coteau, Bellevue, Opelousas, Washington, Beggs 
Garland, Whiteville and Barbreck, St, Landry parish ; Millburn, 
Avoyelles parish, and Eola, Haasville and Cheneyville, in 
Eapides parish. 

THE KANSAS CITY, GULF AND WATKINS RAILROAD. 

This line extends from Alexandria to Watkins, situatetl on 
the Gulf of Mexico, at the Calcasieu Pass. 

It has branch roads leading from Bon Air to Lake Charles 
and Grand Lake. 

It passes through three parishes and its most important 
stations are Alexandria, Anandale, Vilderouge, Forest Hill and 
Glenmora, in Eapides parish ; Oakdale, Oberlin, Kinder, Fenton, 
Iowa, Bon Air and Lake Charles, in Calcasieu parish, and Grand 
Lake and Watkins, in Cameron parish. 

THE HOirSTON, CENTRAL ARKANSAS AND NORTHERN RAILROAD. 

This road extends from Alexandria, in, a northeastern direc- 
tion, and enters the State of Arkansas in the northeastern por- 
tion of Morehouse. 



184 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

It passP« through six parishes and its most important sta- 
tions are: Alexandria, in Eapides parish; Pollock and Dugde- 
mona, Grant parish ; Tiillos and OUa, Catahoula parish ;' Kelly, 
Grayson, Bridges, Columbia, Eiverton and Eureka, Caldwell 
parish ; Boser, Caplin, Monroe and Sicard, Ouachita parish, and 
Collins, Dose, Mer Eouge, Gallon, Bonita and Jones, in More- 
house parish. 

THE TEXAS, SHREVEPORT AND HOTTSTON RAILROAD. 

This line of railway extends in a southwestern direction 
from Shreveport and enters the State of Texas at Logansport, 
on the Sabine river. 

It passes through two parishes and the principal stations 
are Shreveport, Larosen and Keithville in Caddo parish, and 
Preston, Eeatchie, Longstreet and Logansport, in De Soto parish. 

THE ST. LOUIS AND SOUTHWESTERN, 

or, St. Louis, Ark •.":■: as and Texas Eailroad, extends north- 
ward from Shrevep'- ■ and enters the State of Arkansas atEudge 
Station, Bossier parish. 

The important stations are Shady Grove, Benton, Alder, 
Gernsheim and Eudgc, all in Bossier parish. 

THE NEW ORLEANS AND NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD. 

This line extends trom Natchez to Collins' Station on the 
Houston, Central Arkansas and Northern Eailroad and passes 
through five parishes. 

The most important stations are Vidalia, Concordia, Frog- 
more and Tensas, in Concordia parish ; Greenville, Wild wood, 
Florence and Pecks, iu Catahoula parish ; Bryan, Gilbert and 
Winnsborough, in Fraukliu parish ; Archibald and Eayville, in 
Eichland parish, and Collins, ^n Morehouse parish. 

THE NATCHEZ, RED RIVER AND TEXAS NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD 
etxends from Vidalia to Trinity through Concordia parish. 
Principal stations, Vidalia, Sycamore and Trinity, in Concordia 
parish. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 85 

THE BATON ROUUE. GROSSE TETE AND OPELOUSAS RAILROAD. 

This line extends in a westerly direction from Port Allen to 
Eosedale. It is 28 miles long' and lies within the confines of two 
parishes. 

Its stations are Port Allen, in West Baton llouge parish, 
aud Rosedale and Musson, in Iberville parish. 

THE MISSISSIPPI, TERRE AU BCEUF AND LAKE RAILROAD. 

This line extends down, along- the eastern coast of the Mis- 
sissippi river to Bohemia. 

It has a branch line from St. Bernard Station to SheJl Beacli ^ 
on Lake Borgne, and passes through three parishes. 

The stations are New Orleans and Jacksonborough, in 
Orleans parish ; Versailles, Arabi,^Poydras, St.JBernard, Toca, 
Keuilworth , Keggio, Florisant and Shell Beach, St. Bernard 
parish, and English Turn, St. Clair, Stella," Mary, Greenwood, 
Mouncella, Sordelet, iSTero, Poiute-a-la-Hache and Bohemia, ia 
Plaquemines parish. 

THE NEW ORLEANS, FORT JACKSON AND GRAND ISLE RAILROA^. 

This line extends down the western coast of the Mississippi 
river through two parishes. 

The princii){il stations being Algiers in Jefierson parish, 
and For Leon, Concession, Belair.Jj'Myrtle Grove, Wood Park 
and Grand Isle. 

THH CTTV AND|LAKE RAILK'OAD 

extends to Spanish Fort, and the Pontcihartrain Eailroai> 
to West End. These are pleasure|resorts on Lake Pontchartrain, 



The track-laying during the year 1893 in the State has been 
on live lines and amounts to 2036 miles of road. 



86 



STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



RIVERS, BAYOUS AND LAKES. 



The navigable rivers, bayous and lakes and the parishes in 
■which they are navigable are as follows : 



Names of Waters. 



Axnite riv< 



Atchafalaya river. 



Barataria l)ayou 

Bartholomew "bayou 

(There is also a Bayou Bartholo 
mew in St. Marys parish.) 

Bisteneau lake 

Black river 

Bodcaw lake 

Boeuf river 

BtBuf bayou 

(There is also a bayou BoBuf and a 
liver Boeuf in Eapides parish, both 
unavi gable.) 

Calcasieu river 

Cane river 

Cross lake 

Conrtableau bayou 

D'Arbonne bayou 

l>e Glaise bayou 



61 



218 



30 

126 
10 

55 

11 

131 

60 
25 
36 

50 

29 



Head of Navigation. 



Port Vincent , 



Redjriver 



Harvey's canal 
Baxter, Ark. 



Mouth of Dorchite 
bayou 



Mouth of Black river 
Bellevue 



Ray ville . 



Navigable in the 
Parishes of 



<f Ascension. 
'( Livingston. 

Avoyelles. 

Pointe Coupee. 

St. Landry. 

Iberville. 

St. Martins. 

Iberia. 

St. Marys. 
^ Terrebonne. 
{ Jefferson. 

Morehouse. 

Ouachita. 

r Webster. 
J Bienville. 
^1 Bossier. 
^Eed River. 
^ Catahoula. 
( Concordia. 
■{ Bossier, 
f Richland. 
j Caldwell. 
\ Franklin, 
[ Catahoula. 
{ St. Mary. 



Calcasieu. 

Cameron. 

Grand Ecore U Natchitoches. 

I < Caddo. 

Washington I < St. Landry. 

Farmerville j | oSachita. 

Evergreen K Avoyelles. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 



87 



Names of Waters. 



De Large bayou 

Dorchite (or Dauchite) bayou 
Grand Caillou bayou 



Lafourche 

(There is a baj'ou Lafourche also, 
in the parishes of Morehouse, Oua- 
chita, Richland and Caldwell, not 
navigable.) 

Little river 

Louis bayou 



Magon bayou. 



Manchac bayou . . 
Mermentau river 



Mississippi river . 



Natalbany river 



Washita river. 






20 

6 

13 

318 



138 

18 
81 



Head of Navigation. 



Minden. 



Donaldsonville 



Catahoula lake . 
Bayou Castor. . . 



Floyd . 



Pearl river 

Petit Anse bayou 



585 
2161 



Hope Villa. . . 
Lake Ai'thur . 



Mile« in the State. . , 
Miles to St. Antho- 
ny's Falls, Minn . . 



12 Springfield, La. 



217 

103 

8 



Camden, Ark. 



Carthage. Miss. 
Avery's Salt Mine 



Navigable in the 
Parishes of 



{ Terrebonne. 
{ Webster. 
{ Terrebonne, 
( Ascension. 
N Assumption, 
f Lafourche. 



^ Catahoula. 
{ Catahoula. 

{East Earroll. 
West Carroll. 
Richland. 
Madison. 
Franklin. 
( East Baton Roage. 
^ Iberville. 
( Ascension, 
t Cameron. 
' Calcasieu. 
( Vermillion. 

'East Carroll. 
Madison. 
Tensas. 
Concordia. 
Pointe Coupee. 
West Feliciana. 
East Feliciana. 
East Baton Rouge. 
<; West Baton Rouge. 
Iberville. 
Ascension. 
St. James. 
St. John. 
St. Charles, 
Orleans. 
Jefferson. 
St. Bernard. 
Plaquemines. 

5 Livingston. 
( Tangipahoa. 

f Morehouse. 

(Union. 
Ouachita. 
Caldwell. 
Catahoula. 

{ Washington. 
\ St. Tammany. 



{ Iberia. 



m 



STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



"Names of Waters. 



Bed river. 



Eouge hay on . 



Sabin* river. 



Teche liayon 



Tensas river 






■3 M 



Head of Navigation. 



Ticfew liver 

'f <Jrt«bonne bayou 

Tangipahoa river 

Tchefuucta, or Cliefiinctee. 
Vermillion river 



.510 



15' 



387 



91 



112 



State Slioals. 



Tensas. 



St. Martinsville 



Ijake Providence 



Old Landing 

Pin Hook Bridge. . 



Navigable in tLc 



r Caddo. 
Bossier. 
De Soto. 
Rad River, 
Natcbitoches, 

{ Wiun, 
Grant. 
Rajiides, 
Catahoula, 
Concordia, 
Avoyelles, 

■{ St, Landry, 

( De Soto, 

I Sabine, 

■{ Vernon. 

I Calcasieu, 

(^ Cameron. 

i St. Martin, 

\ Iberia, 

( St, Mary, 

f East Carroll. 

I Madison. 

{ Tensas, 
I Concordia, 
1^ Catahoula, 
^ Livingston. 

) Tangipahoa, 

i Terrebonne, 

< Tangipahoa. 

< St, Tammany. 

< Vermillion, 



lut, 17ft"Tmt^ of Tiavi gahlft waters in the State 
not iucluding the large lakes. 

The uavigable waters within the boundaries of the State are 
estimated to be 3819 miles. 

The coastline, bordering- on the Gulf of Mexico, is 1266 
^lles long. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 89 



CIvIMAXB. 



OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF CAPT. R. E. KEEKAM, 
U. S. Signal Corps, Director, Louisiana Weather Service. 

It affords me pleasure, as a representative of the National Signal Service, 
to be able to bring the work of the Service before this Convention in a prac- 
tical manner, and to prove by official records that the climate of Louisiana 
is more agreeable all the year 'round than that of any other section in the 
United States. To do this a series of comparisons will be necessary, and J» 
avoid a lengthy dissertation on the subject, by States, we will consider only 
the sections embraced by the Extreme Northwest, the Upper Mississippi amX 
Missoiu'i Valleys and the Pacific Coast Regions. 

These sections have been taken for comparison, not because they make 
Louisiana's claims stronger for the immigrant, but because they include a, 
greater acreage of farming lands and are considered the best in the Unioa. 
Should a doubt exist in any mind that a choice was made, it can readily be 
disi>elled by a glance at the Weather Map displayed here. , 

Considering the extreme degree of beat, the normal mean niaximiim 
temperature, for the hottest mouth, July, we lind from Signal Service records 
that the section of country fi'oiu southern Illinois and southeastern Missouri 
to central Minnesota has an average of Si'^, with an average of the lowest 
temperatures for the same month of 66-, malting the average daily. ratj^ o^? 
temperature 18°. The same figures Tor'^nW^aine* mouth for the si^ction of 
country from southeastern Missouri to central Dakota are, averago highest, 
8.5°, average lowest, 63°, making the averag*^ daily range 22°. For the sec- 
tion of country embracing northern Minnesota and northern Dakota, we find 
an average highest temperature of 78°, an average lowest of 55°, making an 
average daily range of 23°. For Louisiana, for the same mouth, the average 
highest was 91, average lowest 74°, making an avei'age daily range of 17°'. 

Considering the coldest month : It is found that the first named section 
(the upper Mississippi valley) had an average highest temperature for Jan- 
uary of 31°, and an average lowest of 13°, making an average daily range of 
18°. For the second section (the Missouri valley) for the mouth of Janus*ry 
has an average highest temperature of 25°, an average lowest of 3- , ^yith 
an average daily range of temperature of 22 . The third named section (the 
extreme Northwest) has an aA'crage highest temperature for January of^^j 



90 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

an average lowest of 13^ below zero, making the average daily range of 
temperature 22-. Louisiana has for the same mouth an average highest 
temperature of 59^, an average lowest of 44°, making the average daily range 
for the month 15°. 

To consider the liighest and lowest temperatures recorded on any day at 
any of the stations in the various districts : 

It is found that the maximum temperature for the Mississippi valley for 
summer 10.3°, recorded at Des Moines, Iowa, and at Cairo, 111. The loAvest 
temperature for that section in winter is recorded as 44° below zero, at La- 
crosse, Wis., or an absolute range of temperature of 146°. The highest 
temperature on record for the Missouri valley is 111°, recorded at Fort Sully, 
in southern Dakota. The lowest temperature for that section is 42° below 
zero, at Fort Bennett, in south-central Dakota, making the absolute range 
of temperature for the Missouri valley 153°, The third section, the extreme 
Northwest, has a highest ten%)erature of 107°, recorded at Fort Buford, 
Dakota, and a lowest temperature of 59° below zero, recorded at Pembina, 
Dakota ; making the absolute range of temperature for the extreme North- 
west 166°. The highest temperature on record for northern Louisiana is 107^ 
recorded at Shreveport, and the highest on record for southern Louisiana is 
97° at New Orleans. The lowest temperature on record for northern Lou- 
isiana is 6° at Shreveport, and the lowest for southern Louisiana is 20° at 
New Orleans, making the absolute range of temperature for the northern 
part of the State 101°, and for the southern part 77°, the latter range being 
less than one-lialf of the range of either of the three sections quoted. 

To compare the mean relative humidity of the various sections : From 
^ a record covering from 1870 to 1885, the mean annual relative humidity o 
the TJp]»er Mississippi valley is computed to be 69 per oent, the mean for the 
Missouri valley is 69 per cent., the mean for the extreme Northwest is 74 per 
cent., and the mean for Louisiana is 71 per cent., being but two per cent. 
above the average for the two first-named and three per cent, below the 
latter. The highest mean monthly during the year in Louisiana is but 7.4 
per cent., whereas, the highest in either of the other sections is 91 per cent. 
The raiufall of the sections under consideration is as follows : The aver- 
age annual for the Upper Mississippi valley is 39 inches ; the greater part of 
it falling during the summer months. The average for the Missouri valley 
is 29 inches, the greater part of it falls in May, June and July. The average 
for the extreme Northwest is 21 inches, the majority of which falls during 
the summer. The average for Louisiana is 60 inches, ranging from 4 to 6 
inches for each month during the year. 

From the foregoing official records it is plain that there is no section 
east of the Rocky mountains that can compete with Louisiana in climate. 
If we have rivals, thev alone exist in sections of Oregon and California. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 91 

The following are extracts of reports from those States : 

The State of California has au average annual temperature ranging from 
51 to 55° on the coast, to 62~^ in the interior, againt^t a normal annual tem- 
perature for Louisiana of from 65° in the Northern portion of the State to 68° 
in the southern portion. California has an average annual rainfall of from 
inches at San Diego to 28 inches at Red Bluff. An average annual relative 
humidity of from 54 to 82 per cent — San Francisco liaving an average of 75 
cent, against an average for Louisiana of 71 per cent. 

The highest temperature at Los Angeles, Cal.. is 108°; at Red Bluff, 
110° ; at Sacramento, 106° ; and coast maximums ranging from 90° to 101°. 
At Davisville and Dunnigan. Cal., maximum temperature of 118° were 
recorded. 

The lowest temperatiu-es for that State range from 16 to 33°, the highest 
minimums being reported from stations on the coast. The lowest temjiera- 
ture recorded on the Louisiana coast is 34°. 

Westerly winds prevail in California, blowing from the ocean. In Lou- 
isiana southerly winds prevail, blowing from the Gulf. 

In the matter of clear, fair and cloudy days, California has doubtless a 
greater amount of sunshine during the summer months, with almost a 
total lack of rainfall. During the winter months, fogs are very fre(£ueut in 
California. The rainfall in Louisiana is evenly distributed throughout the 
year Avith an absence of the foggy days. 

'■' Climatically speaking the therapeutic area of southern California is 
small. It is limited to those localities only which are directly influenced by 
the ocean breeze, and extends but a few miles inland. In the valleys back 
from the coast, the summer heat becomes unbearable, there is but slight 
vegetation, and good water is not easily procured. The winters ai'e, how- 
ever, mild and dry. Only a few inches of rain falls annually, and out-door 
life is practicable." 

Oregon claims several distinct climates within its borders : On the coast 
the rainfall averages .from 39 to 79 inches ; in the Willanu'tte valley from 41 
to 67 inches ; and in the remainder of the State from 9 to 35 inches annually. 
The rainy season begins about October 15th and ends about May 1st. Re- 
garding the temperature, it is sufficient to state that the range in the interior 
of Oregon is from .32 below zero to 106 above. Killing frosts occur on au 
average of nine months during the year. 

Louisiana has but one climate, and that well detined. We have hot 
weather but we have also the cool Gulf breeze extending inland, reaching 
the extreme northern portion of the State, which has, however, a somewhat 
higher temperature than that recorded in the southern portion during th& 



92 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

sunmier. The rainfall aud*moistiue in iht' atniosplicie aii- nearly the same, 
lif'ing sli<>htly less north thqn south. The snmmers are long, but necessarily 
so for the rrops that are grown. 

Louisiana's comparative immnnity Ironi killing frosts is graphically' 
l><)rtraye<l on the small chart on the lower corner of the Weather Map. It 
will be seen that the extreme northern part of this State has the advantage 
of northern Florida in this particular, and that the southern part of Lou- 
isiana from Avoyelles to the Gnlf has no rival save the southern poi-tion of 
Florida. Peninsular. This is explainable by the I'act that the majority of the 
oold Avaves that sweep scmthAvard over the country during the winter season. 
The atmosphere [moves in|huge waves similar to water. The cold wave is 
the base of the,crcst of this wjive, and the hollow betwee7i the crests is the 
storm center. A storm otf the Texas coast and a cold wave forming in the 
northwest are conditions suitable for a great fall in temperature between 
those regions, since the air resting on the surface of the earth moves out 
from under a high ]tressure, flowing in the direction of a lower pressure, 
which in this case would mean cold northerly winds flowing from the north- 
west to Texas. But since all movements of the atmosphere have an eastward 
tendency, the storm that was in the (iulf yesterday will be found hundreds 
of miles to the eastward to-day and the cold wave sweeping down from the 
northwest has^had its attractions removed and the cold surface winds are 
now from thej nortlnvest. Another cause of the innnunity we have from 
these cold Avaves is that there is a wall of warm moist air overhanging the 
Gulf, extending ovei the interior of the State, and the interniiugling of the 
mass of c<dd|air from" the north with this warm air is seldom accomplished 
before both masses have passed eastward out of the range of the State. 

Another cause is that storms having their origin on the eastern Rockj' 
Mountain slf)pe have for an attraction the great lakes, since all storms Avill 
move toward a humid atmosphere and to where they have a clean sweep, 
thus accounting for the great number of our cyclones moving out the St. 
Lawrence valley. 

It nnist not be understood from the foregoing that Louisiana has no cold 
waves, for during the jiast winter (my tirst in the South) the temperature in 
this city fell to 29° above zero ; but while we escaped with that temperature, 
caused by a high pressure of air that swept down below a storm having itf? 
origin in Iiuliana, Florida on the same latitude had a temperature lower than 
that recorded here. • ' 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 9-5 



HEAIvXH. 



The following- is an official stateineut by the President of the 
Board of Health : 

Abroad it is the commou belief tbat a wbite man cannot dwell en entire 
summer in Louisiana without passing through sjiells of perilous sickness ; 
this erroneous belief esi^ecially applying to recent arrivals from other sec- 
tions, those to the manor born being sometimes allowed an exemption from 
the fatal influences of the poisonous atmosphere alleged to float continually 
over our fields; to be inured to the arid, scorching heat which beats untem- 
pered by cooling breezes ; to be hardened to influences which would quickly 
kill any other Caucasian, through a process which, for want of a better or 
less bed appellation, is termed "acclimatization." 

The influences which this gathering of stalwart men, strong of arm and 
clear of eye, and altogether nnacclimated, will have iipon an elucidation of 
the entire truth, can hardly be estimated. No word from friends can mag- 
nify or exaggerate the condition of facts when you are here to act, to speak, 
to demonstrate for yourselves ; and the voice of the traducer must, in the 
presence of this assembly, be still. 

Probably the principal obstacle which has hei-etofore existed against the 
influx of settlers from Northern and Western States into this, has been the 
annual outcry raised against us of yellow fever. 

Forty years ago danger from this cause seemed to operate only iu the 
City of New Orleans. Refugees fled no further than the villages beyond 
Lake Pontchartrain, to the pine woods of Eastern Louisiana and Southern 
Mississippi, to the plantations on the Lafourche and along the coast, and 
maintained unrestricted intercourse with the stricken city without api>a- 
rently disastrous results to the exiled. 

In the year 1878 the disease spread over the entire South, following in 
the track of travelers from infected regions, and invading retreats of high 
altitudes hitherto deemed more than surely safe from a visitation. The 
recollection of that epidemic lives now principally in the memories of the 
individuals who survived some loss, and of the thoughttul sanitation. 

THE DKEAI) OF YELLOW FEVER 

previous to the year 1878, in the country, a matter afar off", became, then a 
known and tangible fear; and afterwai'd, irresponsible and untraceable 



M STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

rumors of the ai)pearauce of this disease Avitliout foundation of fact, annually 
created alarm and did mucli to deter enterj^rising men from entering and 
locating their homes within the State's borders. 

This dread has now in a great measure subsided, from two causes ; the 
first, that no grounds for suspicion have occurred; that no symptom of a 
case of yellow fever has developed in the State within the past few years ' 
and the second, that the Board of Health stands solemnly pledged to give 
the very first case the fullest and widest publicity. 

The slightest study of the history of yellow fever and of quarantine 
operations within this State will convince you that mortality from the one 
has decreased j>«;(,j>««,s« with better and more comjilete ajiplicatiou of the 
other. During the first decade of the past forty years, nine years of which 
this city was without any quarantine, and the one year it did exist barely 
in name, more than half of the total deaths from yellow fever of the whole 
forty years occurred within that short ten ; the other lesser portion being 
distributed, with lessening number every year, over the remaining thirty. 

From a close study of the operations of the various quarantine systems, 
successive Boards of Health have evolved i^laus, until to-day one exists 
which is certified by disinterested parties as superior to anything at present 
in the world. 

There has not been a yellow fever ipideinic in the city of New Orleans 
for fifteen years' 

Yellow fever in Louisiana is a thing of the pnst. 

THE MORTUARY STATISTICS 

are published weekly, and the records being open to public inspection and 
comparison, I will not tire you by reciting a mass of statistics other than to 
mention the three principal causes of death and their percentage to the total 
roll, for the past two years, in this city, two periods of time which may with 
justness be cited as an sample, since neither presents any marked variation 
from the usual. 

In 1886 the deaths in this city from fevers of all kinds were 379, or 6.02 
l»er cent of death from all causes; from consumption 889, or 12. .5.5 per cent; 
fiom cholera infantum 188, or 2.98 per cent. 

In 1887 — All fevers 332, or 5.36 per cent ; consumption 773, or 11 per cent, 
and cholera infantum 171, or 2.81 per cent, both white and colored included. 
In this calculation is also included the deaths in the Charity Hospital, an 
institution drawing patients from every section of the country ; these deaths 
amounting in 1886 to 960 and in 1887 to 941. Thus you see the improvement 
in 1887 over 1886, an imjjrovement which will become more marked as our 
citizens advance in their knowledge of hygiene and sanitation. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 95 



The efforts AYhich are being made to have these two branches taught in 
onr public schools, efforts which I trust and believe will be successful ; the 
attention of our people being directed towards drainage and municipal sani- 
tation; the constant disciTSsion of the subject and the dissemination of 
inforu'.ation in the matter now uiulertakcu by our sanipitions, arc all most 
potent factors towards the education of the people and will most positively 
be productive of excellent results. 

The City of New Orleans has improved in its death rate remarkably in 
the last half century, and though not as low as it should be ; the interest 
so plainly manifested in the subject by her people, makes the couviction cer^ 
tain that in a few years her rank, from a position lower than the average of 
the healthy cities of the Union will be placed on a plane with the healthiest 
in the world. General and persistent attention through the channels of 
drainage and municipal sanitation will very soon reduce that mortality, 
which is now the fault of oiir citizens and not our situation. 

I will present to you the imbiased and disinterested testimony of Mr. 
William 1*. Stewait, the actuary and vital statistician of the Mutual Life 
lusnrance C'oin})any of New York, whose business is to inquire exhaustively 
into the 

VITAL STATISTICS OV SECTIOXS OF COUNTKY 

where that company proposes to establish offices. He says of Louisiana : 
" You can ask for no better evidence of the facts that your geiieral health- 
fulness is now recognized as assured than to consult your best informed 
business men on the significance of the action of the Conservative Mutual 
Life Insurance Company into your midst. No one indication of the year has 
so much encouraged them as this, because they know this company sjieaks 
for the largest financial corjioration of the world, the soundest priiiciple of 
mutuality, and the most conservative business interest. « *= * j Jmye 
already expressed my conviction that you are destined to grow into recogni- 
tion as the great winter resort, and I now venture to prophesy that, with 
the newly awakened spii'it of your people, you will see before the next 
decade a commerce doubled, a population increased 50 per cent, and a pro- 
perty value as will make fortunes for those who venture as business men. 
I have been charmed with the river scenery, the like of which is nowhere 
«lse to be found. The many village-like plantations, with their evidences of 
wealth, refinements and comfort , the broad sweep of river ; the luxurious 
spread of foliage ; the inviting stretch of land ; the characteristic homes of 
the wealthy are nowhere else to be seen ; and with the trim, tree-shaded 
glistening white cottages, go to make up a panorama such as would delight 
the eye of the most traveled tourist, and put to shame the merest suggestion 
of •stored-ui) disease.'" 



96 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The next evidence of like disinterested character which I will present to 
yon is the United States census of 1880, the completed volumes of which are 
only just published. There is no other authority from which we may draw 
practical conclusions ; the basis is only for 1880, and, as no visitations of 
epidemic scourges took place iu any section of our country that year, the 
standard may be accepted as conclusive. The errors incidental to one place 
are practically common to all, and onr inferences drawn from a study of the 
tables presented should be accepted as very nearly correct. 

After careful and repeated exaiuinatious of the tables presented, I aui 
surprised to tind that the dift'erent localities of the Union do not diifer 
largely in the aggregate to their mortality, the extreme from lowest to 
highest being only 8 in 1000 population. 

TiiK a\i;rage moutality 

for the whole United States is 14.70 per 1000 for the whites and 17.29 for the 
blacks. 

For the white, Oregon is first, Avith a mortality of 11.04 per 1000, with 
Minnesota, an excellent second at 11.51 and Arkansas brings up the foot of 
the list with a mortality of 19.11, very closely pushed by educated and 
scientific Massachusetts with a mortality of 18.56. 

For the blacks, the negro enjoys the greatest exemption in Florida, hav- 
ing a rate of mortality in that State of 11.36 per 1000. He has a very hard 
time in Rhode Island, where liis mortality is 27.10, and he is very much 
worse, and the very worst oft", under the very eye of his particular guardian, 
the general government, for his mortality in the District of Columbia is 35, 
62 per 1000. 

Now as to the position which Louisiana occupies in the white list. I am 
very sure that Vermont, Tennessee, Indiana and Texas have each of them 
enviable reputations for health fulness, and a favorable comparison of Lou- 
isiana with any of the tour would undoubtedly excite derision. 

What are the facts f Vermont has a white mortality of 15.13 per 1000; 
Tennessee, 15.21; Louisiana, 15.45; Indiana, 15.88, and Texas 15.86; or, in 
this group of known healthy States, Louisiana stands superior to two and 
presents only a very small fractional inferiority to the others. 

The relative positions of the States, including the whole ])opulations, are 
tabulated and are annexed to this report, which is submitted to you for your 
disposal, but the reading will occupy too much of your time. 

Vital statisticians place very much reliance upon the proportion of 
deaths of children under five years as indicative of the good or ill-health of 
locality. This is undoubtedly a correct index of a fact, but its significance 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 97 



is, in my opiniou, iacorrcctly ajtplied. The laws which apply to the health 
and groowth of an infant are very similar to the laws ■which govern the life 
AUd growth of other things. 8uitable food and .>*uitabie protection from 
effects of varying temperatures are equally necessary in the nursery of 
human habitations and in the nursery of a florist. The rate of mortality of 
children under five years marks with unerring finger the ignorance, super- 
.stition, uncleanliness and iiidifterence of grown persons, and not at all the 
conditions of climate. An index, indeed, of moral fault on part of a people, 
but of little intent in reference to the salubrity of a locality. 

Outside of large cities, in the rural regions of a State, the deaths from 
that universal disease, consumption, and the deaths of jiersons having passed 
beyond the ninety-five years of life is, in my opinion, the tniest and 

BKST EXPOXENT OF THE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 

and life possibilities of any given place. 

Typhoid fever is now generally accepted to be dependent upon the purity 
of the drinking water supply, and is a matter of local or individual pre- 
vention. 

Malarial fever tells the sanitarian of undraiued soils, impure water for 
drinking purposes and individual neglect. Without reference to other 
agencies which bring about those paxoxysms of fever which are designated 
by this name, I advance the commonly accepted doctrine that the most 
potential factor in the origin of this disease is humid soil, and therefore the 
percentage of mortality from this disease is hardly at all due to the climatic 
causes, but to imperfect or impossible dryness. 

It is unnecessary to appeal to your medical men for corroboration of this 
statement. You know its truth yourselves, every one of you, I venture to 
say, from personal experience. Examples confirming the truth of my asser- 
tion are of daily occurrence. 

Returning to official figures, and now excluding the large cities, we 
arrive at tables which meet our purpose — the relative salubrity of the rural 
portion of the State. 

The highest on record of percentage of deaths from malarial fever stands 
Florida, with 0..53 per ('entof its total mortality from this disease; the lowest 
Rhode Island, with only .08 per cent. In between these two extremes come 
the other States, those adjacent to our great streams showing a higher rate 
than the others. Arkansas has 7.65 per? cent, Alabama 7.85^ ^ Mississippi 7.06, 
Louisiana 6.06, and Texas 6.04, Our own State showing more favorably than 
any of her neighbors, save one, in a mortality springing from a disease 
largely preventable by ordinary attention, by the mass of the people, to the 
plainest and simplest laws of hygiene. 



98 STATE CF LOUISIANA. 



The least infant mortality is exhibited in New Hamiishire, which has, 
20.88 per cent of infant, to the total mortality ; Maine, 23.57 ; Vermont, 24.10; 
California, 2.5.31 ; New York, 25.39 ; Connecticut, 26.75 ; Massachusetts, 20.21 ; 
Ohio, 33.36; Khode Island, 33.69; Oregon, 34,99; New Jersey, 35.52; Wis- 
consin, 35.61 ; Pennsylvania, 36.15, and then Louisiana with 38:05, the list 
ending with Kansas and Nebraska, the highest rates in the Union — Kansas 
with 47,56 and Nebraska with 49.12 per cent. 

In this list 

LOUISIANA IS NOT PKECEDED 

by any Southern State, And should the calculation be based on the white 
population only or on an equal per cent of colored to white which exists in 
each of the Northern States ahead of her, her rank would not be fifteenth, 
but third or fourth. The infant mortality among negroes is enormously 
large, as from their habits it nuist be. Substitute a comparison between the 
whites in the rural sec^- >ns of the Union, North and South, and many of our 
Southern States wouh" . >w that our people cared well for their young. 

The mortality ir.i... consumption, that dreaded, universal and almost 
hopelessly fatal disease, can iu the country, where the close confinement of 
people engaged in sedentary occupations, in ill-ventilated, crowded apart- 
ments does not exist, may be taken as a fair criterion of the actual influence 
©f climatic conditions on the inhabitants. Arkansas enjoys greatest exemp- 
tion from this disease with percentage to its total mortality of 6.42 ; Texas 
second, with 6.05 per cent ; Nebraska third, with 6.93 ; Kansas foui'th, with 
7.54: Louisiana fifth, with 7.41 ; Florida sixth, with 8.14; Oregon twentieth, 
with 12.12 per cent ; California thirty-third, with 15.80, and Maine the very 
last, with 19.16 per cent. 

These fig;ures represent the death rate and do away with the suggestion 
that the mortality from the disease is largely influenced by invalids seeking 
the curative powers of certain climates. That influence is iu reality small? 
because a larger number of those unbenefitted return to their homes to die, 
and rarely do friends carry away from home patients in the last stages of the 
disease. 

The percentage of deaths of people over ninety-five years to the total 
mortality, or, in other words, the i^roportion of old people iu a State, demon- 
strating beyond cavil the possibilities and probabilities of life in those 
localities, is exhibited by the census, as follows : 

Vermont stands first with a percentage of .70 of old people to total mor- 
tality, and Louisiana second with .62, Florida sixth with .53, Rhode Island 
tenth with .45, Tennessee with .27, and Nebraska the very last with only 
.63 per cent. 



V.V. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 99 

From the foregoing facte we may conclude with certainty : 

1. That Loiiisiana enjoys relatively to her neighbors 

A FAVORABLE POSITION 

in regard to mortality from malarial fevers, being superior to Arkansas, 
Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, and only a small fraction inferior to Texas. 

2. That her percentage of deaths of children places her above any of the 
Southern States, and, if like i)opulation be compared with like, her position 
will be third or fourth among all the United States. 

3. That her position in reference to lowest rate of deaths from consump- 
tion, a disease very dependent upon climatic conditions, is fifth. 

4. That her percentage of deaths of old people places her second among 
the States for possibilities of long life. 



Life. 



100 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



8TBTEMENT8 OF RESIDENTS OF OTHER STATES. 



One of the largest and most intelligent farmers in Central 
Illinois, after a careful examination of the Teche and Attakapas 
country, said : 

" I have heretofore thought that Central Illinois was the 
finest farming country in the world. I own a large farm there, 
with improvements equal to any in the country. I cultivate 
about two thousand acres in small grain and other crops ; but 
since I have seen the Teche and Attakapas country I do not see 
how any man who has seen this country can be satisfied to live 
in Illinois. 

"I find that I can raise everything in Louisiana that can be 
raised in Illinois, and that I can raise a hundred things there 
which cannot be raised in Illinois. I find the lands easier 
worked in Louisiana, infinitely richer and yielding far more, and 
with the fairest climate on earth, and no trouble to get to mar- 
ket. I shall return to Illinois, sell out, and persuade my neigh- 
bors to do the same, and return to Louisiana to spend the 
remainder of my days.' 



[Times Democrat, November 9, 1893.] 

New Orleans is entertaining some distinguished guests. 

President Stuyvesant Fish, of the Illinois Central Eailroad, 
yesterday arrived here in his special car, accompanied by Hon. 
Robert T. Lincoln, ex-minister to England under the Harrison 
administration and ex- Secretary of War; John B. Lyon, A. J. 
Fisher and J. Henry Norton, business men of Chicago, and Harry 
Vincent, of Trinidad, West Indies, World's Fair Commissioner 
from that place. 

The party arrived over the Illinois Central Railroad at 7:30 
last night. At Baton Rouge the gentlemen stopped and met 
Governor Foster, with whom they chatted pleasantly for some 
time. Many of them had never seen a sugar mill nor a planta- 
tion, as they had never had before visited the South. They 
were delighted with the wonders revealed in the sugar-house, 
and found the work of gathering the cane and grinding it very 
interesting. The gentlemen registered here at the Hotel Royal. 
They are on a pleasure trip, and will remain until Wednesday. 

Mr. Fish being asked, "Ho^v is local traflicf' 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 101 



"It's good," replied Mr. Fish, "and we are now very busy 
on account of the immense amount of cotton handled at this 
season of the year. We are improving the facilities of the road 
wherever practicable. Prosperity is all along the route of the 
I. C. We are not doing anything extraordinary in the way of 
building, but the whole country will forge to the front as the 
business men know what they get when a trade is made ; they 
are sure they can estimate correctly the value of the dollar since 
the repeal of the purchasing clause of the Sherman act. It has 
already created additional confidence among the business men 
of the country, and will bring prosperity quicker than anything 
else could have done. The pinch was tight for even the biggest 
and wealthiest corporations in the country, but times will now 
be better ; in fact, there is already an improvement on account 
of the repeal of the silver law. The outlook of the South for 
material development is bright." 

When the party came to their hotel at 11 o'clock last night 
Mr. Lincoln was approached by a reporter. The distinguished 
statesman said he was merely here on a pleasure trip and was 
making his first visit to either Louisiana or Mississippi. 

"What are your impressions of those States. Mr. Lincoln?" 
asked the Picayune man. 

"I am delighted," he replied, "with the cane and the cotton 
fields and with the city of ISTew Orleans. I was struck by the 
splendid sugar plantations and the well-executed plans of the 
planters and reflnors. This is a marvelous city and it catches 
the eye of the strauger within its gates. All around he sees 
what a magnificent tature there is in store for Xew Orleans, 
when trade and commerce with the wealthy and growing coun- 
tries ot the southern continent expands and develops. 

"I am here on a pleasure trip at the invitation of Mr. Fish. 
There is nothing of significance in my visit. It is only the visit 
of a stranger, though I assure you I have found the latch string 
of this city hanging on the outside. This is a great city, filled 
with hospitable people." 

The sugar crop is most valuable, and the facilities for grind- 
ing that now exist owing to the establishing of .central sugar- 
houses, places the sugar industry within the reach of the smallest 
planter, for the crop can be sold in the field to those who have 
the large central sugar-houses. A sugar-house with^the expen- 
sive machinery being no longer necessary for a sugar planter. 



MR. DUGOT OX THE SUGAR INDUSTRY. 

Mr. James L. Dagot, of ttie corps of revenue collectors, has 
just returned from a trip through • Louisiana in the interests of 



102 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



the Sugar Bounty Bureau. Mr. Dugot is an Oliioan, and was 
appointed by President Cleveland from Chicago last August. He 
has, however, lived in the South and Southwest for eighteen or 
twenty years and is not a stranger to this locality. IVlr. Dugot 
told a Times-Democrat reporter yesterday that in all his travels 
Le never visited a country he liked so much as Louisiana. "The 
people are the most hospitable and genial that I have ever had 
the pleasure of meeting,"' he said with enthusiasm., "and the 
country from an agricultural standpoint is the finest in the 
United States. I have just returned from a visit through the 
sugar district, and I never saw anything to equal it. 



COTTON AXD RICE INTERESTS OF LOUISIANA. 

Extract from Article by Henry G. Hester, Secretary Kew Orleans Cotton Exchange,. 
Southern States Magazine, September, 1893. 

Taking the year 1891-'92, with its high conditions every- 
where as a fair criterion, Louisiana produced a crop of 740,000 
bales out of a total of 9,035,000 for the United States. If we are 
to accept the United States Agricultural Department's figures 
revised to accord with the last census, this amount of cotton was 
grown on 1,158,000 acres, or say an average for the entire State 
of about sixty-four one hundredths of a bale to the acre. Care- 
ful investigators consider that the government is at least 
125,000 acres under the actual facts for 1891-'92, but, even if 
this be the case, the average product would be fifty-seven one- 
hundredths of a bale, equal to 268 pounds of lint per acre. This 
would place Louisiana about the same as Texas and Indian Ter 
ritory, twenty-two pounds ahead of Arkansas and fifty-six ahead 
of Mississippi. 

Compared with above, an average of 151 ])ounds per acre 
for Georgia, 160 to 164 pounds for the Carolinas, and 172 for 
Alabama, the exceeding richnt'ss of the soil of the Pelican State 
as a cotton grower is strikingly illustrated. From a bate to a 
bale and a half per acre is not uncommon ; in parts of some par- 
ishes even two bales per acre have been reached. 

APPROXIMATE VALUE OF LOUISIANA CROPS — 1891-'92. 

Cotton $26,000,000 

Sugar and molasses 15,000,000 

Rice 3,000,000 

Total $44,000,000 

Percentage, cotton 59 

Percentage, others 41 



BUEEAU OF IMMIGRATION. 



10? 



It is true that much of the lands devoted to sugar and rice 
are much better adapted to them than to cotton, but the State 
contains a vast area above and beyond overflow that may be 
converted into the finest cotton fields in the world, a result only 
retarded by lack of labor. 

An important fact regarding Louisiana cotton production is 
the general superiority of staple, which gives it a value in pro- 
portion of length of fibre above cotton grown on uplands. 

Its introduction into Louisiana is of very recent date, no 
rice having been produced there for purposes of sale until after 
the war, and there could be no stronger evidence of the success 
that has attended its culture on the prairies of Calcasieu than the 
fact that Louisiana to-day produces more rice than Georgia and 
Carolina, the crop for this year amounting to 7,500,000 bushels. 

Besides cotton lands there are in the South enormous tracts 
of land of a description fit for rice culture, and at present yield- 
ing no revenue, or, at any rate, but very little to its owners ; in 
fact, it is estimated that in eight of the Southern States there 
are between 70,000,000 and 90,000,000 acres of land on vv^hieh 
rice can be grown. The State of Louisiana contains more ot this 
character of land, of a marshy, and, for other purposes, valueless 
formation, than any other State. The enormous possibilities 
open to the rice industry in the United States are thus plainly 
manifest, for were all these lands, the greater portion of which 
are now lying and going to waste, to be put in rice, the annual 
production of the country would amount to 90,000,000,000 pounds. 
In this connection, the following figures, compiled by Messrs. 
Dan. Talmage's Sons, of Kew York, showing the production for 
the whole United States from 1860 up to the present time may 
be of interest : 



Crop of 


Carolina. 


Louisiana. 


Total, U. S. 


1860 


Pounds. 

103 600,200 
7,500,000 
40,800,000 
42,460,800 
59,927,400 
50,450.000 
49,000^000 
45,887,400 

*50, 000,000 


Pounds. 

1,679,000 

2,746,490 

14,088,8X0 

41,400,000 

51,941,590 

100,050,000 

87,750,000 

109,778,200 

*205,000,000 


Pounds. 
105,279,200 
10,246,490 

55,,^JSX,880 
84,860,000 
118,808,990 
150,500,000 
136,750,000 
155,665,600 
*255,000.000 


1865 


1870 


1875 


1880 


1885 


1890 


1891 


1892 





*Estimated. 

"Carolina" includes tliat grown in North, Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. 



104 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



FEEDING CATTLE IN LOUISIANA. 

Mound, La,, October 29, 1893. 

"'Dr. W. H. Dalrynipie, Baton Rouge, La. : 

31y Bear Sir — Complyiufi- with your request of the 9th inst., 
I will give you the benefit of my limited experieuce in feeding 
cattle in Louisiana. I have fed a few head of cattle nearly every 
year for the past ten years. I have used corn meal, cotton seed, 
pea hay, turnips, pumpkins, cabbage leaves and sweet potatoes, 
all with success. All ot the above can be raised very cheap on 
our Southern tarms and all can be used in feeding cattle, hogs 
and sheep with success. In connection with the above I would 
recommend to tarmers that have facilities for shipping at cheap 
rates, to sell their cotton seed and buy hulls and cotton seed meal 
instead. 

I made the following test this year on cotton seed hulls and 
meal alone: I purchased twenty-six tons of cotton seed hulls 
and five tons of cotton seed meal, the former at a cost of $3.90 
and the latter at S22 per ton delivered. The above was all fed 
to twenty-three head of steers in 43 days ; the gain per head, per 
day, was three and one-half pounds. I was offered two cents 
per pound gross for the cattle the day they were put in the lot; 
at the end of the 43 days I shipped them to market and sold 
them at 4 cents per pound gross. I know of other gentlemen 
that have had more experience in feeding than myself and they 
have not only made plenty of money, but, on land that they 
could not raise more than fifteen to twenty bushels of corn they 
are now raising eighty bushels of first-class corn and good crops 
of peas on the same land. 

The farmers of Louisiana ought to raise their own horses, 
mules, cattle, sheep and hogs and can do so with greater profit 
than farmers in the Northwest. They have advantages in cli- 
mate and soil and can raise so many things in abundance and so 
cheaply that our Northern brothers cannot raise. I would 
recommend our Louisiana farmers to try a tew head of good 
steers or cows and prepare plenty of food crops, and then feed 
hulls and cotton seed meal with it, they will be surprised to see 
how quick they can fatten the cattle and what profit there is in 
it besides the rich fertilizers they make clear if they will only 
save it. After experimenting with these things I am thoroughly 
convinced there is money in it. I am preparing large pastures 
and am now buying all the cattle I can with a view of feeding 
on a larger scale. I know of a gentleman in Illinois who has 
just invested in a large tract of land in the Tensas river swamp 
and fencing it, and will put 600 head of cattle in it at once. 

In regard to feeding horses and mules while at hard work, I 
have had splendid success with cut oats, ground corn and peas 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 105 



mixed, two parts of coru to one of peas, I would advise all farm 
ers to raise plenty of oats and feed less corn. I cut my oats with 
a large ensilage cutter and use a three-horse tread power. In 
regard to rai-^ing mules, I think I can safely say it is a success. 
I have them from sucking colts to five years old, and am pleased 
with the experiment. I have 19 colts this year. I will add that 
I always feed my mules and horses when at work, three times a 
day. Hoping that you may find something that will i)rove 
interesting to you in the above, I am, yours truly, 

F. L. Maxwell. 

The writer is now a large planter of Madison parish, and a 

former resident of Indiana. 



PROF. STUBBS (a Virginian), ON TOBACCO IN LOUISIANA. 

Marcli, 1893. 

This geological review shows that of the numerous forma- 
tions occurring in this State, four of them only take part to a 
large extent in the formation of the soils of the State. With the 
exception of limited areas scattered here and there throughout 
the northern and western part of the State, we may say that the 
soils of the State are divided mainly into four distinct kinds : 

1st. The alluvial (with several subdivisions) covering nearly 
one-half of the State, including the ^'ississippi bottoms, the 
Ouachita and Red river bottoms and their tributaries. 

2d. The "bluft" or Champaign formations with three sub- 
divisions, the black, brown and sandy loams, furnish the soils 
of East Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, Livingston, West Carroll, 
Richland and Franklin with occasional outcrops from Morehouse, 
through Catahoula, Grant, Rapides, Avoyelles to St. Landry, 
where it spreads out and forms the soils of the Attakapas prai- 
ries, covering parts or the whole of the following parishes : St. 
Mary, Iberia, St. Martin, Lafayette, Acadia, St. Tammany, Cal- 
casieu, Vermillion and Cameron. 

3d. The yellow loams, or red sandy clays, of North Lou- 
isiana, covered by the agricultural classification of "good up- 
lands," the region of short leaf pine, mixed with oak and hickory. 
These soils vary from yellow sands to red sandy clays, and are 
easily cultivated aad susceptible of the highest improvement. 
The parish of East Feliciana and the hill parishes of North Lou- 
isiana are mainly occupied by soils of this class. 

4th. The sands and gravels of the drift. The soils of this 
formation, in t ivo subdivisions, cover the Florida parishes, save 
those already mentioned, and the long leaf pine region of Calca- 



106 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



sieu, Vernon, Eapides, Natchitoches, Sabine, Grant, Winn and 
Catahoula. 

The last two classes are denominated light soils, the second 
from heavy to medium, and first heavy to stiff. 

From a study of the tobacco plant we find that the last two 
classes are eminently suited for the growth of the finest type of 
yellow leaf. A similar soil in Florida is producing a most excel- 
lent quality of smoking leaf. Perhaps the long leaf pine region 
of this State would excel in the production of the best Havana 
leaf, and experiments made nt Hammond, on the Illinois Central 
E^ailroad, would seem to verity the belief. Experimeuis made at 
Calhoun the past year, an account of which will be given later, 
show that the yellow sandy clays of North Louisiana will pro- 
duce in paying quantities, a most excellent type of yellow leaf, 
suitable for wrappers, binders, fillers and cigarette stock. On 
these t»vo classes of soils we are certain of great success in 
tobacco raising. 

The third class of soils must be restricted to growing dark 
cigar leaf or plug tobacco tobaccos. The former is quite profit- 
able, while the latter is too low in value to warrant increased 
cultivation. Upon the bluff lands of the Connecticut river the 
tinest cigar stock of America is grown. Will not our bluff' and 
prairie lands, similar in geological origin and some of them 
originally of superior fertility, do as well, especially when we 
throw in our lengthened seasons due to climate"? We have 
grown and had manufactured some very fine Havana cigars at 
Baton Eouge, and believe that a profitable industry of this kind 
could easily be established there. 

The first class of soils are restricted to the growth of dark 
tobaccos. In the lighter alluvial soils of Nortii Louisiana, a fine 
cigar stock, or even the White Burley might be profitably grown 
and experiments will be made this year looking to a solution of 
this question both in the Bed and Mississippi bottoms. In the 
southern portion of the State, tobacco was once iargely grown 
for export. To-day small areas are cultivated by the Acadians, 
who continue to manufacture it by a peculiar process and the 
result known as Perique finds favor in every part of the civilized 
world. This industry itself could be largely increased, since the 
demand far exceeds the supply and unlimited acres of productive 
soils are available. 

It may therefore be asserted in a most positive manner that 
the light lands of Louisiana can be most profitably cultivated 
in tobacco, and that the medium and heavy lands of the State 
on certainly grow tobacco, but whether of a desirable profitable 
type, remains yet to be demonstrated by experiments. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 107 

CONCLUSIONS FROM EXPERIMENTS. 

In Plot No. 1 the average of all the fertilized experiments in 
varieties was 4280 pounds per acre, with the hig:hest 1530 pounds 
and lowest 900 pounds. Omitting the last live, which are cigar 
varieties and counting only the yellow leaf varieties, we have a 
mean of 1454 pounds per acre. 

The average of the unfertilized experiments in the same 
varieties was for all the experiments 712 pounds per acre, with 
highest 1200 pounds and lowest s99. Omitting the cigar varie- 
ties we have a mean of 904 pounds. 

In Plot 2 we find on the fertilized experiments a mean of all > 
■equal to 1300 pounds, with highest and lowest of 1680 and 1050 
pounds. Of the bright varieties alone the average was 1476 
pounds per acre. 

On same plot, the unfertilized, we have a mean of 949, with 
highest and lowest of 1170 and 780 pounds. Neglecting the 
cigar types we have an average of 972 pounds. The increments 
due to fertilizer have therefore been as follows : 

Plot 1 — On all experiments 572 pounds, on bright types 
only 654 pounds. 

In Plot 2 — 391 pounds, and 504 pounds respectively. 

A close examination of the effect of the different ingredients 
of the fertilizer used, upon the increase of crop, will show that 
potash has had little or no effect, while nitrogen in every lorm 
used, has been very beneficial. No form of the latter was 
decidedly preferable — all causing a marked increase in the quan- 
tity produced. 

In quality, the effects of the different forms of fertilizer, 
were thought to have been apparent. The mixture of cotton 
seed meal, acid phosphate and sulphate of potash i^roduced 
uniformly a grade of tobacco more suitable to the eye and taste 
€f the expert (Mr. Smith) in charge of the curing. 

The profits of the above crops may be easily figured by 
applying the prices given in the subjoined extracts from letters 
received from leading merchants in our principal tobacco marts. 
These letters were received in response to inquiry made by the 
Station as to the ruling price ot such tobacco in their market as 
the sample sent, taken from our lot. 

The following are the extracts : 

Carr & Eichardson, manufacturers, of Richmond, Ya., write : 
"We pronounce it as fine in quality and texture as the best aver- 
age of the best section and among the best and most skilled 
planters in North Carolina. In short, we think its quality could 



108 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



hardly be excelled. * * You have as clear color for the ripe- 
ness and quality as we have ever seen. We have seen cutters 
and light press wrappers of a fraction better color than this, but 
the white yellow was at the expense of its chewing and smoking 
qualities. The samples you sent are what we pronounce the 
ideal cigarette stock, excepting the heavier bundles, which is a 
light press wrapper. * * * Qur advice to you, if you con- 
tinue to make tobacco, is to make the very best, like the samples 
sent, getting as much off an acre as possible, and then secure a 
second crop if possible." 

These gentlemen state further that it is their opinion that 
no other country could successfully compete with Louisiana in 
raising tobrcco, owing to our long summer, wliicli insures a ripe 
crop, which is not always thes case in Virginia and Xorth Caro- 
lina. 

From P. Lorillard & Co., New Jersey, the following was 
received : " We beg to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 
14th ult., also type samples referred to therein, which we have 
examined and note with pleasure the success attained in the 
growing and curiog of bright tobacco. As indicated by these 
types, the soil is evidently well adapted to the growth of bright 
tobacco, and with a proper knowledge of curing and haiidling 
the same we believe the farmers of your State will find tobacca 
raising a profitable industry." 

This firm offered 20 cents for cutters and smokers, 35 cents 
for large wrappers and 30 cents Jor small wrappers. 

Pemberton & Penn, of Henderson, J^. C, wrote: -'It cannot 
fail to bring a good price." 

G. W. Smith & Co.. manufacturers, Lynchburg, Va., write : 
''We were quite interested in examining your samples and sur- 
prised to see such tobacco from Louisiana. It is a valuable crop, 
and if exhibited in any market in Virginia and Xortli Carolina 
in proper condition would command prices that would probably 
be very satisfactory to you." 

Messrs. .1. P. Taylor & Co., Danville, Va., write : "We are 
sure it will bring you a good price." 

Mr. E. J. Parrish, of Durham, N. C, says: "Samples 
received. Tliey show to be very good stock and worth from 1& 
to 30 cents per pound." 

The Addison Tinsley Tobacco Company, of Louisiana, Mo.^ 
write: "We find on examination, your samples to be a very 
good quality of wrappers. We cannot make an intelligent bid 
without knowing proportion of long and short wrappers, but 
lumping the lot we make you an offer of $20 per 100 pounds on 
the entire lot." 



BUREAU OF nOIIGRATION. 109 

Several gratifying results are brought out by these experi- 
ments. 

1st. That our old worn lauds of North Louisiana can pro- 
duce large and profitable crops ot an excellent type of yellow 
wrappers — with or without fertilizers. 

2. That our pine thickets can be utilized profitably in 
growing this crop, yielding 1176 with fertilizers and 972 without, 
a gain of 501 pounds. 

3d. That no form of potash has given much increase on 
these soils, while of the nitrogenous manures our own cotton 
seed meal has given results almost the equal of any other form. 

1th. That the yellow varieties are pre-eminently adapted 
to these soils, the Hester and Eaghiud's Improved leading, with 
the Conqueror, Long Leaf Gooch and Sweet Orinoco closely 
lollowing. 



louisia:n^a oranges. 

By Hexry N. Baker. (Extract.) 



It may be a surprise to many to know that Louisiana is an 
orange-growing State. Until very recently the pomologist of 
the Agricultural Department at Washington seemed to be igno- 
rant of this fact, and there was no other means by which the 
public could procure statistical information regarding the Lou- 
isiana orange production. 

Louisiana produces annually about 150,060 boxes of oranges. 
This fruit comes into the market considerably earlier than either 
the crop ot Florida or California, and therefore should command 
a good figure. The orange crop of the world is marketed in the 
following manoer : Jamaica in August, Louisiana in September, 
Mexico in October, Sicily and Valencia in November, Florida in 
November and December, California coming in last in December 
and January. Ihese delicious, juicy and delicately flavored 
Louisiana oranges are not known except to a favored few, who 
eagerly avail themselves of an opportunity to procure them, 
knowing the superiority of the orange to any other. 

The crop is generally disposed of in the months of May and 
June, after the fruit has begun to appear and when a fair esti- 
mate of the probable output of the grove can be made. The crop 
is sold upon the tree, and the purchaser has to pick it at his 
own expense, and pay in cash one-half of the price agreed upon 
at the signing of the contract and the other half in good banka- 
ble notes made payable before the crop is taken from the trees. 
It will be readily seen that the orange grower takes no chances; 



110 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

all the risks are assumed by the purchaser, such as are ecca- 
sioued by storms and droughts. When the harvest season com- 
mences in September, a fleet of luggers is made ready to trans- 
X)ort the crop to market as fast as picked. 

An expert hand will pick ten barrels per day. 

There are several large orange groves on the lower Missis- 
sippi river below New Orleans, but the greater number are small 
properties, consisting of from 500 to as many thousand trees. 
The largest grove is about sixty miles below the city, and is 
owned by the Bradish Johnson estate. Through the courtesy of 
Mr. Chapman, the manager of the properties of this large estate, 
I was able to secure the following data regarding the output of 
their omnge farm from 1880 to 1892, a period of thirteen years. 
I will here say that the reader may judge of the value of an estab- 
lished grove. This grove occupies about 120 acres, and contains 
12,582 trees, of which 9,535 are bearing, the crop of which has 
been sold from year to year in the following order : 

1880 $ 12,000 

1881 400 

1882 ■ 9,000 

1883 5,110 

1884 9,000 

1885 12,000 

1886 700 

1887 18,000 

1888 20,000 

1889 20,000 

1890 23.000 

1891 40,000 

1892 25,000 

Total $195,000 

Mr. James Wilkinson has a small grove of budded trees, 
mostly Mandarins and Satsumas. They were two-year old sour 
stock with one-year old sweet bud. He planted 500 trees in 
1889, and in 1891 got from these trees 30,000 oranges, which he 
sold for little over $300. He planted and cultivated vegetables 
among these trees to improve the laud and keep the trees well 
worked and the vegetables sold for enough to pay for all the 
cultivation and attention given the orchard. Mr. Wilkinson 
estimates that his trees, planting, etc., cost him about $1.00 
each. At the present time he has about 1,000 trees and expects 
to get $1,000 for the coming crop. 

Messrs. Moore and Dameron, two young merchants in New 
Orleans, concluded to establish an orange grove on the lower 
coast. In March, 1890, they purchased about 10 acres on the 
river and planted 3,000 trees in their grove. Their trees were 
three years old when set out ; that is, two year's sour stock with 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. Ill 



one year old sweet bud. These amateur farmers had their work 
to attend to in the city, therefore of necessity had to have hired 
help, and they seldom visited the place more than once or twice 
a week. This little plantation is one of the prides of the Lower 
Coast and their success just goes to show what can be accom- 
plished by intelligence and enterprise. This place is now com- 
ing into bearing and could be sold at any time at 100 per cent 
on their outlay. Last season they shipped to market not less 
$1,000 worth of truck. 



TUE LOUISIANA OYSTER BEDS. 
By F, C. Zacharik. 

(Southern States Magazine, September, 1893.) 

The great resources of Louisiana in its large production of 
sugar-cane, cotton, rice, lumber and fruits have hitherto kept in 
comparitive obscurity what are generally deemed the minor — 
and wrongly considered the less remunerative — fields for the 
employment of capital and intelligent labor. Prominent, if not 
the principal, among these neglected industries are the vast 
fishery interests of the State, which, under energetic labor and 
scientific cultivation, would in a few years equal, if they did not 
surpass in the way of pecuniary profit, the aggregate value of 
the entire State. The extent of the oyster territory is so vast, 
the supply so abundant and cheap, and so little labor and capi- 
tal are required for its development, that its wonderful advan- 
tages and enormous profits once known, capital and labor (vill 
inevitably seek employment in what must eventually become a 
leading industry, far surpassing that of any State in the Union. 

On the eastern boundary, starting trom the Eigolets, the 
small gut or strait connecting lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain, 
and following the shore line southward and westward around 
the mouths of the Mississippi river to the Texas line, there is a 
coast of about 600 miles in leugth, if measured on straight lines 
from point to point. Making an allowance for the curvatures of 
the coast, the shores of salt water bays, bayous, inlets, lakes and 
islands, which fret this i)art of the State like net work, the lit- 
toral line will not fall short of fifteen hundred or two thousand 
miles. Taking into consideration the shelving, shallow beach 
adjacent to it, experts well acquainted with its geographical 
features estimate that the area suitable to planting and growing 
oysters is double the amount of acreage available in all the other 
States of the Union combined. The coast abounds in suitable 
places to which the mollusk can be transplanted from the seed 



112 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



bed, and under proper care developed into an oyster which for 
the delicacy of its flavor cannot be excelled the world over. 
East of the Mississippi river these natural beds are stdl numer- 
ous and transplanting" is carried on to but a limited extent. Xot 
only do these beds supply the wants of the people of the Lower 
Coast, but small quantities are shipped to the New Orleans mar- 
kets, and hundreds of poachers or "pirates" — so called — from 
Mississippi carry away annually hundreds of schooner loads of 
the shell fish. 

The flavor of these bivalves here taken, although of excel- 
lent quality, compared with those of tlie Atlantic States, yet is 
by no means equal to those taken from the choice planting 
grounds across the Mississippi, going west from the great river. 
Bayou Cook, Grand Bayou, Bayou Lachuto, Graud Lake, Bayou 
Lafourche, Timbalier bay. Last Island, Barrataria bay. Vine 
Island lake, Vermillion bay, and the Calcasieu grounds furnish 
the best, those of Bayou Cook having par excellence the highest 
reputation in the markets of Louisiana and the neighboring: 
States, and bringing a correspondingly higher price. 

The difficulties, dangers and delays of transportation are 
being rapidly overcome by railways and canals, some already 
built and others projected, penetrating the best oyster regions ; 
and if capital be properly encouraged and protected in its invest- 
ment, as it assuredly will be, the day is not far distant when the 
l^roduction will be immeasurably increased, the price for home 
consumption greatly reduced, and an export trade established 
which will supply the whole of the Westeau territory of the 
United States, from the Mississippi to the Pacific coast, at reduced 
j)rices. Not only to the capitalist is the field open, but to the 
skilled oyster culturist of Chesapeake and Delaware bays. Long 
Island Sound, and the shores of Connecticut, the State oflers 
cheap oyster lands for sale or to rent, and a free supply of seed. 
To all such, with a minimum of capital and skilled industry and 
energy, she opens her arms to welcome them to a home on the 
verge of her '-summer sea," beneath skies which is hardly known 
wliRt winter is, and to cheer them on to fortune and her own 
industrial development. This is no fair-seeming false promise, 
but one tendered in all .'•incerity, and based on facts which the 
writer has been careful to understate rather than to over- 
estimate. 

TIMBEKS OF LOUISIANA. 

By W. P. Curtis. 

(Chicago Timbeniuiu.) 

Louisiana, topographically, is divided into eight sections, 
known as good uplands, pine hills, bluff" lands, pine flats, alluvial 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 113 



lands, wooded swamps and coast marsh. Only in the seventh 
is cypress found in an appreciable quantity. As this section has 
an area of over 9,000 square miles the cypress belt of the State 
covers one-fifth ot the surface of Louisiana. Like all regions 
where cypress abounds, this section is subject to deep overflows 
and is not arable, but intersected by lakes, bayous and sloughs, 
and its only product worth mentioning consists of cypress and 
gum timber. That this cj'press output and the lands embraced 
in the territory mentioned are rapidly enhancing in value and 
fast attracting the attention of capitalists and investors, are 
important facts not sufficiently known and appreciated in this 
•country. 

The success that has attended the efforts of a limited num- 
ber of cypress mill men and dealers (commenced about three 
years ago) to educate our people as to the value and importance 
of cypress is, however, a hopeful harbinger of a general dissemi- 
nation of such knowledge. An article of especial significance I 
gather from a recent Buffalo daily paper which contains an inter- 
terestiug interview with one of the most successful and wealthy 
lumbermen of the Empire State, in which the gentleman, after 
dwelling at some length upon the lumber future of Western New 
York, frankly says that the South, in his opinion, is going to cut 
a large figure in our lumber business : 

"The supplies of pine, cypress, cotton wood and poplar from 
the Southern States are decidedly on the increase. The variety 
and cheapness of Southern lumber is making an impression on 
■our market, and although there is a prejudice against it here, it 
is, uevertliless, making headway. For example, the public 
schools and other public buildings in Buffalo are now floored 
with Southern pine, rift-sawed, as it is called in the specifica- 
tions. Southern pine, particularly the long-leaf kind, is one of 
the strongest woods that is grown. 

"The Southern woods unquestionably possess the lasting 
qualities of our Northern variety. Cypress will last longer than 
any other known variety. The statue of Jupiter, one of the 
wonders of Italy for the past 600 years, is made of cyj^ress, and 
in one of the cathedrals of Rome is a door of the same material 
1100 years old. Cypress shingles are always reckoned good for 
half a century. 

"How about the cost ? 

"Well, I don't pretend to give exact figures, but this I do 
know, that while white pine sells here at from $45 to $50 per 
thousand feet, the best Southern yellow pine can be bought for 
$20 per thousand ; poplar of the best varieties, for $35 a thou- 
sand ; cypress of the superior grades that comes from the Gulf 



114 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



States, at $30 to $36 per thousand, and the North Carolina short- 
leaf pine, largely used for inside finish and for boxes, at from 
$18 to $27 per thousand. But the best of all wood for boxes, 
aside from cypress, is the cotton wood, which sells at from $16 to 
$28 per thousand. The cottonwood tree grows in the short 
space of four or five years suitable for lumber, and is, in my 
opinion, the coming wood." 



Louisiana contains some of the most extensive and magnifi- 
cent forests of valuable timber in the United States. From 
Lake Charles northward for more than 100 miles stretches one' 
magnificent forest of stately pine, cypress, magnolia, oak, ash, 
etc., the pine predominating. 

This pine is of an entirely different character from the short- 
leaved and loblolly pine of Arkansas and Tennessee. It is the 
long-leaf yellow pine, the finest in the world. This timber is the 
most beautiful and durable of all the pines, and it is used wher- 
ever it is introduced where beauty and strength are desired. It 
is rapidly coming into prominence as the best lumber in the 
world for car building. It makes the finest of finishing lumber, 
the best flooring, ceiling and dimension lumber in the world. 

The cypress of Southwest Louisiana is the finest in the South, 
and is found in great abundance on the low bottoms of our 
numerous rivers and bayous. The cypress makes the finest 
shingles in the world and is also extensively used in shipbuild- 
ing and other building. Cyj)ress is light, strong, easily worked 
and never rotting. These qualities make it very valuable. It 
sells higher on the market than pine or almost any other lumber. 
It is so valuable for shingles that most of it is saved for that 
purpose, for cypress shingles are considered the best in the 
world. Nothing need be said on the topic of the value of cypress 
for furniture, for sashes, doors and blinds 

Magnolia is another valuable wood, of which there is a good 
quantity iu Southwest Louisiana. This is a veiy hard, close- 
grained wood, capable of receiving a very fine polish and almost 
everlasting. It is fine furniture timber and also unexcelled for 
wagon hubs. 

Oak of the finest quality is found in great abundance. This 
makes the finest wagon and buggy timber in the world. There 
are the different varieties of white, black and post oak Mingled 
with the oak are generally fouad ash, hickory, pecan and other 
fine hardwoods. 

Of gum there are several varieties, such as sweet gum, black 
gum, tupelo gum, etc. This timber is in great abundance. It 



BUREAU OF IMMiaRATION. 



115 



aboumls not only among the oaks, but also in the cypress bot- 
toms along the rivers. It has not been utilized to any great 
extent as yet, because the articles for which it is best adapted 
are not manufactured here. It is very fine grained, tough and 
light. It is excellent barrel timber, perhaps equal to any other 
wood grown for barrel staves. It is also first-class box material, 
and makes fine furniture. 

Of curly pine there is considerable. This is, without excep- 
tion, the most beautiful of all lumber. When highly polished it 
rivals in beauty the famous mahogany, and even surpasses it. 
It should be preserved for our future furniture factory. It makes, 
when properly dressed, most beautiful casings for door and win- 
dow frames, and is unequaled for fine paneling. 

In yellow pine, Louisiana has one of the largest supplies ©f 
any State in the Union, and is claimed by some to surpass any 
State. This tree grows only in the South. Of late, its lumber 
has grown into great favor, and according to Mr. W. H. How- 
cott, a leading authority, has come into extensive use in Idaho, 
Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, etc. It has greatly 
supplanted other lumber in many large Western cities. Accord- 
ing to this authority there are over 2,400 saw mills in the South, 
most of them cutling this lumber, and fifty millions of dollars 
have been invested in Southern pinelands since the last census. 
Louisiana has shared largely in these sales, and millions of acres 
have been sold to speculators and manufacturers. 

The following compilation from the last United States census, 
taken from Mr. Howcott's letter in the Baltimore Manufacturers' 
Record, of January 2, 1889, shows the status ot Louisiana as to 
yellow pine. 

The forestry bulletins of the last census of -the United States 
give the following estimates of long and short-leaf pine standing 
June 1, 1880, viz : 



Long Leaf. 
Feet. 



Alabama. 
Horida . , 
Arkansas 



Georgia 

Louisiana 

Mississippi 

North Carolina. 
South Carolina. 
Texas 



18,885,000,000 
6,615,000,000 



16,778,000,000 
26,588.000,000 
17.200.000,000 
5,229.000,000 
5,816,000,000 
20,508,000,000 



Total 1 17,119,000,000 



Short Leaf. 
Feet. 



41,31.5,000,000 



21,625,000,000 
6,775,000,000 



26,093,200'000 
26,093,200.000 



121,901,400.000 



116 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



THE LUMBER lis^TEEESTS OF LOUISIANA. 

By Watson Jones. 
(Southern States Magazine, September, 1893.) 

While it was not the intention of this article to be specific 
or statistical, a few words as to the location of certain of the 
principal woods of the State may be api)reciated. 

The long,leaf pine is found more or less over tlie bill country 
of the State, yet it may be said to have two important centres, 
the eastern and western. The former embraces the parishes of 
North St. Tammany, Washington, North Tangii>ahoa, most of 
St. Helena and East Feliciana. There is a considerable area of 
pine flats in North St. Tammany, South and West Tangipahoa 
and East Livingston parishes, and a narrow rim in Southeast 
St. Helena parish and in Calcasieu. The western centre of the 
pine is situated in Northwest Catahoula, West Caldwell, South- 
east Jackson, all of Winn, nearly all of Grant, except the narrow 
rim in the Red river valley in the south vvest portion of the par- 
ish. Northwest and all West Kapides, a small area in Northeast 
St. Landry, all North Calcasieu, South and West Natchitoches 
and. Southwest Sabine. Alexandria is near the geograj^hical 
centre of the State, and within a radius of seventy-five miles of 
this important railroad centre is situated the bulk of the great 
pine area of the State. 

Until recently this great Western pine belt has been un- 
touched. The Southern Pacific Railroad opened up Calcasieu 
parish mainly at Lake Charles and country contributiug. Tlie 
daily cut there now is about 300,000 feet. Later, the Texas and 
Pacific Railroad developed the lumber business along its line, 
but the mills, though of fine character and large cut, have barely 
made an impress upon the territory. 

The Kansas City, Watkins and Gulf Railroad, now complete 
from Lake Charles to Alexandria, will afford an outlet for the 
pine of Northwest St. Landry and South Rapides parishes, and 
if continued to its avowed terminus at Kansas City, is destined 
to develop great pine lumber interests in the parishes of Graut 
and Winn, which it will necessarily traverse. 

The Houston, Central Arkansas and Northern Railroad, 
now running from Alexandria to Monroe, La., gives a very 
direct outlet to the West for the pine of Grant parish from north 
to South of its eastern area, of Southeast Winn, East Catahoula, 
Southeast Caldwell and Northeast Rapides parishes. This rail- 
road opens up an extensive area of pine and is a most important 
factor in the development of the lumber interest of the State. 
In some parts of the pine belt the "cut" is very large, sometimes 
as high as 30,000 feet per acre, and not uncommonly 10,000. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 117 

Sometimes many acres can be found where this last figure is 
exceeded. Few, it any, of these pine lands are now in first 
hands. Prices range according to cut and accessibility. They 
are about as follows : Lands cutting 3000 to 4000 feet per acre, 
distant from railroad, $1.00 to $1.50 per acre ; for lands distant 
from railroad, cuttiug from 6,000 to 10,000 feet, $3.00 to $5.00 
lands near to railroad, $1.00 to $1.50 per acre for stumpage ; 
lands away from railroad cuttingj.5,000 feet are estimated to be 
worth $10 per acre. 

The bulk of red cypress is situated south of the Eed river 
and west of the Mississippi to the Sabiue. The white C37)re3S is 
a more generally diftiised wood and is even found as far north 
as Delaware. In Louisiana it is to be found in all localities 
adapted to its growth. The sweet gum has no particular locality. 
It is a considerable feature in most forests; is rather plentiful 
in the Missi8si[)pi bottom and the river jjarlshes. 

The tupelo gum is abundant in many wet bottoms of the 
State. The holly is everywhere as a scattering tree ; the mag- 
nolia, though not rare as to a few specimens, is rare to its 
quantity in any given locality. Both these woods have a great 
future value. The ash, hickory and various oak are common to 
the State. The live oak is found on the Southern or Gulf coast, 
on the Chenieres and buck ridges and bayous along the banks 
of the streams in many, if not all, the alluvial regions of the 
State. 

1^0 mention has been made ot the ash which is scattered 
throughout many of the upper parishes of the State, also the 
maple, and in a few localities the black walnut. The pecan is 
quite common in small bodies throughout the State, and is com- 
monly preserved for the greatly increasing value of the "thin- 
shelled Louisiana pecan nut." Great numbers are being planted 
and the young trees grafted with the most perfect samples form 
a profitable industry. Poplar and cottonwood are also quite 
generally distributed in the upper parishes near the river, the 
hackberry, dogwood and sycamore likewise. In localities the 
sassafras grows so abundantly as to deserve mention. 

As to facilities for transporting and marketing tlie lumber, 
the primitive methods of river rafting are being rapidly sup- 
planted by the railroads and every modern appliance. The 
river on the east and the Sabine on the west still serve as outlets 
for the principal exportation for foreign or coastwise business. 
The Jackson, or Illinois Central Railroad, is the oldest and stiU 
most faithful servant of the mills. The Great Eastern, or Queen 
and Crescent route, does some business for East Louisiana, but 
finds it great work in Mississippi. The Louisville and Nashville 
Eailroad has very few mills, but is useful for its connection's,. 



118 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



while it has a small local trade. The Southern Pacilic furnishes 
ready distribution of the cypress of the South and the yellow 
pine of the Southwest. 

Two branches of the Southern Pacific from Shriever to 
Thibodaux and Shriever to Houma are built. One is projected 
from Kaceland to Lafourche and several others in the western 
part of the State, which will open up valuable timber sections. 

The Texas and Pacific Railroad is most important for the 
Eed River sections of the State. The " Vidalia Route " takes 
in the northern and uplands from the eastern border to Shreve- 
port, which is a center for all hard wood operations. The same 
may be said of the road from Delta, opposite Vicksburg' to 
JShreveport. There is a narrow guage road from Shreveport 
Tunning through De Soto and Caddo parishes, crossing the Sa- 
bine river at Logansport, which will eventually be made wide 
^auge and extended into Texas. It opens a vast pine district. 

Thus, in extent, in variety, in favor, as to locations and 
facilities of transportation, the lumber interests of Louisiana 
merit the attention of the wealthy capitalist, the competent, 
energetic manufacturer, and above all, the man of family who 
seeks to make a home where opportunity to " grow up with the 
country" makes a small investment in the present sure capital 
for the future. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 



119 



From the Naval Officer of Number of Vessels Entered from Foreign Ports 
at the Port of New Orleans, during the year ending November 30. 1893. 



Antwerii 7 

Algiers 1 

AiTaunoth ■ 2 

Bocas del Torro 81 

Blueflelds 103 

Brazil 2 

Balize 30 

Bremen 7 

Barry 1 

Barbadoea 4 

Barcelona 9 

Bonaco 1 

Bordeaux 2 

Bermuda 1 

Barrow 2 

Cienfugos 33 

Cardiff. 13 

OoloD 8 

Carthagena 5 

Castellamare 2 

Coatzocoalcos 1 

Cape Verde 2 

Ceiba 49 

Cuba 19 

Canlenas 4 

Campeclie 1 

Cartria 1 

Dublin 1 

Frontera 4 

Glasgow 1 

Genoa 3 

Georgetown 1 

Havana * 78 

Hamburg 26 

Havre 7 

Honduras 18 

Halifax 1 

Hayti 1 

Kngston 4 

Liverpool 72 

London * 10 

Las Palmas 11 

Leghorn 1 

Livingston 15 

Lisbon 1 

Matanzas n 

Mexico 21 



Mesaina ^ 

Marseilles 4 

Martinique j 

Madeira 3 

Montevideo j 

Mayport j 

North Shields ,1 

Naples 2 

Oporto I 

Progreso ^4 

Puerto (Jortez 45 

Port Bellow j 

Port Limon 49 

Palermo 12 

Port Lucia .j 

Pore au Pitre i 

Pt. Trinidad 2 

Pt. iM.gado 1 

Plymouth i 

Penarth 1 

Buatau 3 

Eio 21 

Rotterdam 3 

San Alartha 15 

San Vincente 12 

St. Nicholas j 

Swansea 4 

Santos 5 

San Andres j 

St. Lucia 4 

Sagua la Grande 1 

Shields 3 

St. Anna i 

Santa Cruz i 

St. Michael j 

Sunderland j 

Truxillo 10 

Teneriflfe 3 

Tampico 3 

Trinidad j 

Torralo ^ i 

Utilla 2 

Vera Cruz 14 

"Witherpool 4 

Whiley l 

9U 



120 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



NE^^T ORI^EANS. 



It is the open gateway to the largest and most productive 
territory in the world. 

It is situated on, and near the mouth of, the largest river in 
the world. The waters of more than 19,000 miles of navigable 
rivers flow past its doors. 

It is the second city in America in the value of its exports. 

It is stated that the exports of this port for 1892 were 
$331,253,000, and the imports $189,090,000. These figures show 
that New Orleans is one of the most important cities in the 
United States. 

It is the largest cotton market known. 

Ships from every nation are found at its wharves. 

It is in easy reach of the great timber producing regions of 
the South. 

It is rapidly increasing in population, its manufactories, its 
trade and its financial condition. 



BUREAU OF 1MMIGEA.TI0N. 1£1 



HOMESTEAD ON UNITED STATES LANDS. 



The homestead laws- secure to qualified persons the right to 
settle upon, enter and acquire title to not exceeding on-equarter 
section, or 160 acres of public land, by establishing and main- 
taining residence thereon and imi^roving and cultivating the 
land for "the continuous period of five years. 

A homestead entryman must be the heacj.^ of a family, or a 
person who has arrived at the age of twentyjyears, and a citizen 
of the United States, or one who has filed his declaration of 
intention to become such as required by the naturalization laws, 
to which Section 5 of the act of March 3, 1891 {20 Stat., 109.5), 
attaches the condition that he must not be the proprietor of not 
more than 160 acres of land in any State or Territory. 

Where a wife has been divorced from her husband or 
deserted, so that she is dependent upon her own resources for 
support, she can make homestead eutry as the head of a family, 
or as afemme sole. 

COMMUTATION OF UNITED STATES HOMESTEAD ENTRIES. 

If a homestead settler does not wish to remain five years on 
a tract he may pay for it with cash. Military bounty-land war- 
rants, agricultural college scrip, and private land claim scrip 
may be located in lieu of cash payment. 

To entitle a homestead claimant to the land upon makiag 
such payment, under Section 2301, Revised Statutes, as origin- 
ally enacted, he must prove his actual settlement, improvement, 
and cultivation for not less than six month preceding date ot 
proof. Residence on the land must be actual and continuous 
for the prescribed period. 

The sixth section of the act of March 3, 1891, amends Section 
'2301, Revised Statutes, so as to require that parties proposing 
to commute their homestead entries to cash shall make proof of 
settlement and of residence and cultivation of the land for a 
period of fourteen months from the date of the entry. 

There are about 1,248,626 acres of United States public 
lands in the State ; none of these lands are subject to private 
entry. The timber culture and pre-emption laws have all beea 
repealed. 






STATE CF LOUISIANA. 



UNITED STATES HOMESTEAD FEES AND COMMISSIONS. 

The land offipe fees and commissions, payable when applica- 
tion is made, are as follows : 



III Louisiana 


(Eevised Statutes, 


2238.) 






Land at 
|i2.50 per acre. 


Land, at 
l|1.25 per acre. 


For ino '> cvi'.s 


$18 00 
9 00 
7 00 


$14 00 
7 00 


'' 80 acres 


' ' 40 a exes 


6 00 







The laud office fees and commissions, payable at time of 
making proof are as follows : 





Land at 
$2.50 per acre. 


Land at 
$1.2.5 per acre. 


For 160 acres 


$8 00 
4 00 
2 00 


$4 00 


" 80 acres 


2 00 


" 40 acres 


1 00 







The laud office fees, as stated, are all that has to be paid to 
acquire a perfect title under the homestead law. The prices 
fixed, viz., $1.25 and $2.50, refers to the price of the land when 
the party wishes to commute, that is, if he prefers to pay this 
price instead of continuing to hold under the homestead law. If 
he pays this price alter having entered the homestead he will 
not have to continue to reside on the place. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 



123 



ARREARAGE OF THE PARISHES AND UNITED STATES GOVERN- 
MENT PUBLIC LANDS. 



Parishes. 




Acadia 

Ascension 

Assumption 

Avoselios 

Baton Konge, East- . 
Baton Rouge, West. 

Bienville 

Bossier 

Caddo 

Calcasien 

Caldwell 

Cameron 

Carroll, East 

CaiToll, West 

Catahoula 

Claiborne 

Concordia 

De Soto 

Feliciana, East 

Feliciana, West 

Franklin 

Grant 

Iberia 

Iberville 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Lafayette 

Lafourche 

Lincoln 

Livingston 

Madison 

Morehouse 

Natchitoches 

Orleans 

Ouachita 

Plaquemines 

Pointe Coupee 

Rapides 

Red River 

Richland 

Sabine 

St. Bernard 

St. Charles 

St. Helena 

St James 

St. John Baptist . . . . 

St. Landry 

St. Martin 

St. Mary 

St. Tammany 

Tangipahoa 

Tensas 

Ten-ebonne 

Union 

Vermilion 

Vernon 

Washington 

Webster 

Winn 



Total, 59 



61G 
.373 
355 

425 
210 
856 
773 
8.52 

3,268 
545 

1,560 
400 
380 

1.350 
778 
665 
8t6 
466 
385 
614 
636 
667 
646 
577 
603 
239 

1,0241 
575 
593 
684 
760 

1 29 
199 
640 
930 
575 

1,496 
400 
578 

1,008 
680 
393 
413 
343 
230 

1,683 
618 
648 
923 
790 
641 

1,977 
9i0 

1,250 

1,540 
668 
615' 
954! 



394,240 
238.720 
227,200 
530,520 
272,000 
134,400 
547,840 
494,720 
54.5,280 

2,091 520 
348,800 
998,400 
256,000 
243,200 
864.000 
497 920 
425,600 
547, 84(' 
298 240 
246,400 
393,900 
407,040 
426,880 
413,440 
369,280 
385,920 
152,960 
655,360 
368,000 
379;520 
437,760 
486 400 
825,600 
127.360 
409,600 
595,200 
308,000 
975.440 
256,000 
369 920 
645,120 
43.5,200 
251,520 
264,320 
219,520 
147,200 

1,077,120 
395,520 
414,720 
690,720 
505,600 
410,240 

1.265.280 
582,400 
800,000 
985,6 
427,520 
393,600 
610,50' 



45,966 29,418 240 1,248,626 



124 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

HOMESTEAD ON STATE PUBLIC LANDS. 

Acts 1888 ; Act 64, Sec. 1. Auy person who is the head of a family, or 
who has arrived at the age of tweuty-oae years, and is a citizen of this State, 
shall, from and after the passage of this act, be entitled to enter one-quarter 
section or a less qnautity, of unappropriated public lands of the State upon 
■which said person may have filed a pre-emption claim, or which may at the 
-fcime of making the application be subject to pre-emi)tion, to be located in a 
body in conformity to the legal subdivisions of the public lauds, and after 
the same shall have been surveyed. 

Sec. 4. Be itfurfher enacted, That no lands acquired under the provisions 
of this act shall in auy event become liable to the satisfaction of auy debt or 
debts contracted prior to the issuing of the iiatent therefor. 

Acts of 1880, P. 85. The public lands, donated by Congress to the State 
o€ Louisiana, shall be subject to entry and sale, at the rate of seventy-five 
cents per acre, for any number of acres ; and auy person making affidavit 
that he or she enters for his or her own use, aud for the jjurpose of actual 
settlement and cultivation, and together with the said entry, he or she has 
not acquired from the State of Louisiana, under the provisions of this or any 
acxv, graduating State land, more than one hundred aud sixty acres, accord- 
ing to the established surveys, shall be allowed to enter one hundred and 
sixty acres, according to the established surv^eys, shall be allowed to enter 
one hundred and sixty acres at the rote of twelve and one-half ceuts per acre. 

There are about 3,423,199 acres of State public lands in the 

State. 



LETTER OF STATE EEGISTER. 

State of Louisiana, State Land Office, } 
Baton Rouge, November 23, 1893. )J 

Uommiesioner of Immigration, New Orleans, La. : 

Dear Sir — Replying to your letter of the 21st iust., I have to inform you 
tliat the within copy of Act is still in force, aud is the law. This does not 
apply at all to homesteaders, that the governing law as to these is Act No. 
64, of the session of 1883, which you will find on page 70 of the acts of that 
jear. 

Homesteaders are not required to pay any fees or price whatever, except 
when they require coj^ies of survey and certificates, which they seldom do* 

The enclosed copy of Act 85 of 1880 refers entirely to purchasers of State 
lands. The public lands donated by the Acts of Congress to the State are 
All swampy and overflowed and were so donated because they were not fit 
for Bttttlenient .and cultivation ; hence there are few homestead entries made 



BUREAU OF liVIMIGRATION. 125 

at this office. Tb«! Uuited States owns large areas of laud iu this State which 
is reserved for actual settlors or homesteaders ; of these and all laws bearing 
oil the subject yon can obtain from the Register United States Land Office iu 
your city. Very respectfully, 

JOHN S. LANIER, 
Register. 



STATE HOMESTEx^D LAWS. 

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE— HOMESTEADS. 

C'ONSTniTiox OF 1879, Art. 219. There shall be exempt from seizure- 
and sale byauy process whatever, except as herein, provided, the hoinesteada 
bona fide owned by the debtor and occupied by him, consisting of lands, 
- buildings and appurtenances, whether rural or urban, of every head of a 
family, or person having a mother or father, a person or persons, dependent 
upon him or her for support ; also one work horse, one wagon or cart, on© 
yoke of oxen, two coavs and calves, twenty-five head of hogs, or one thousand 
pounds of bacon, or its ecjuivalent in pork, whether these exempted objects 
be attached to a homestead, or not, and on a farm the necessary quantity of 
«orn and fodder for the current year, and the necessary farming implements 
to the value of two thousand dollars. 

Art. 221. The owner of a homestead shall at any time have the right to 
supplement his exemption by adding to the amount already set apart, which 
is less than the whole amount of the exemption herein allowed, sufficient 
to make his homestead anv exemption equal to the whole amount allowed by 
the Constitution. 

Such exemptions to be valid shall be set apart and registered as shall be 
provided by law. The benefit of this provision may be claimed by the sur- 
viving .spouse or minor child or children of a deceased beneficiary if in indi- 
gent circumstances. 

LAW AS TO REGISTERING EXEMPTIONS. 
Acts ok 1880, P. 149. The person or persons claiming the benefit of the 
homestead and exemptions provided by law, pursuant to Articles 219 and 220 
of the Constitution of 1879, must execute a written declaration of homestead. 
This declaration must contain (la statement of the facts that show the per- 
son claiming the homestead and exemptions is a person of the description to 
be entitled thereto; (2) a statement that the person claiming it is residing 
on the land or lot claimed as homestead and owns it by a bona fide title, stat- 
ing the nature of the title; (3) a description of the lot or tract of land; (4) 
an enumeration of the exemptions ; (5) an estimate of the cash value of the 
homestead and exemptions, a statement of intention to claim such homestead 
and exemptions. The declaration must be sworn to and recorded in the book 
of mortgages for the parish where the homestead claimed is situated. 



126 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

EXEMPTIONS FROM TAXATION. 

HOUSEHOLD PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION. 

State Constitution, Art. 207. There shall be exemption from taxation 
household property to the value of live hundred dollars. 

MANUFACTURERS EXEMPT FROM TAXATION. 

State Constitution, Art. 207. There shall also be exempt from taxa- 
tion and license for a period of ten years from the adoption of the Constitu- 
tion, Iho Ciopitiii, ma'^'hiiiery and other property employed in the manufacture 
of textile fabrics, leather-shoes, harness, saddlery, hats, flour-machinery, 
agricultural implements and furniture, and other articles of wood, marble or 
stone, soap, stationery, ink and paper, boat-building, and chocolate ; jjro- 
vided, that not less than Ave hands are employed in any one factory. 

VARIOUS PRIVILEGES OF LABORERS— ACTS 1886, NO. 89. 

Civil Code, Art. 3217. The workman or artisan shall have a privilege 
for the price of his labor on the movable property, which he has repaired or 
made, if the thing is in his possession. 

Civil Code, Art. 3249. Architects, undertakers, bricklayers, painters,, 
master builders, contractors, sub-coutractors, journeymen, laborers, cartmen 
and other laborors employed in constructing, rebuilding or rei»airing houses, 
buildings, or making other works, shall have a privilege upon the building, 
improvements, or other work erected, and upon the lot of ground not exceed- 
ing one acre, upon which the building, improvement or other work shall be 
erected ; provided such lot of ground belongs to the person having such 
building, improvement, or other work erected. 

WIDOW'S PRIVILEGE. 

Civil Code, 3186, 32.52, 32.")J. Whenever the widow or minor children 
of the deceased shall be left in necessitous circumstances and not possess 
property in their own right to the amount of one thousand dollars, the widow 
or legal representative of the children shall be entitled to receive from the 
succession owned by them or either of them, sufficient to make up the sum 
of one thousand dollars, which shall be paid before all other debts, except 
vendor's privilege and expenses of selling the i)roperty. 



EXEMPTIONS FKOM SEIZURE. 

EXEMI'TION IN FAVOR OF LESSEE OR TENANT. 

Civil, Code, Art. 2705. The lessee shall be entitled to retain out of 
property subjected by law to the lessor's privilege, his clothes and linen, and 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 127 

those of his wife and family, his Led, hedding aud bedstead, those of his 
■wife and family; his arms, accoutrements^ and the tools and instruments 
necessary for the exercise of his trade or profession by which he gains a liv- 
ing, and that of his family. 

EXEMPTIONS FROM SEIZURE FOR DEBT. 

Acts 1876, No. 79, Sec. 1. The sheriff or constable cannot seize the 
linen aud clothes belonging to the debtor, or his wife, nor his bed, bedding, 
or bedstead, nor those of his family, nor his arms and military accoutrements, 
nor the tools, iustruuieuts and books, sewing machines necessary for the 
exercise of his or her calling, trade or profession by which he or she makes 
a liviug, nor shall he in any case seize money due for the salary of an officer, 
nor laborers' wages, nor the cooking stove, nor utensils of the said stove, nor 
the plates, dishes, knives and forks, and spoons, nor the dining table and 
dining chairs, nor wash-tubs, nor smoothing irons and ironing furnaces, nor 
family portraits belonging to the debtor, nor the musical instriunents jilayed 
on, or practiced on by any member of the family. 

Amendment — Nor the corn, fodder, hay, jsrovisious and other supplies 
necessary for carrying on the plantation to Avhich they are attached for the 
current year. 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

State CoNSTiTt:Ti<>x, Art. 208. The General Assembly shall levy an 
annual poll tax for the maintenance of public schools, upon every male 
inhabitant in the State over twenty-one years, which shall never be less than 
one dollar and a half per capita, and the General Assembly shall pass laws 
to enforce payment of said tax. 

Art. 224. There shall be tree j>ublic schools established by the General 
Assembly throughout the State for the education of all the children of the 
State between the ages of six and eighteen years ; and the General Assembly 
shall provide for their establishment, maintenance and support by taxation, 
or otherwise, and all moneys so raised except in proportion to the number of 
children between the ages of six and eighteen years. 

Art. 227. The funds derived from tlje collection of the poll tax shall be 
applied to the maintenance of public schools as organized under this Consti- 
tution, and shall be applied exclusively to the support of public schools in 
the parish in which the same shall have been collected, and shall be accounted 
for and paid by the collecting officers to the competent school atithorities of 
each parish. 

Art. 229. The school funds of the State shall consist of : Ist. The pro- 
ceeds of taxation for school purposes, as provided in the Constitution. 2d. 



128 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

The interest on the proceeds of all pnhlic lands heretofore granted by the 
United States for the use and support of public schools. 3d. Of lands and 
other proj)erty which may hereafter be bequeathed, granted or donated to 
the State or generally for school purposes. 4th. All funds or property other 
than unimproved lands, bequeathed or granted to the State, not designated 
for other purposes. 5th. The proceeds of vacant estates falling under the 
law to the State of Louisiana. 

The Legislature may appropriate to the same fund the proceeds, in whole 
or in part, of the public lands not designated for any other purdose, and shall 
provide that every parish may levy a special tav for the public schools therein, 
which shall not exceed the State tax; provided, that with such tax the 
whole amount shall not exceed the limits of parish taxation fixed by this 
Constitution. 

Art. 230 of the State Constitution declares that the University of Lou- 
isiana, located in New Orleans, shall be recognized in its three departments, 
viz: Law, medical and academical department and directs the General 
Assembly to make proper provisions for the maintenance of the same. 

Art. 230, also provides that the Louisiana State University and Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College, located in the city of Baton Rouge, shall be 
maintained, and all the revenues derived from the sale of laud donated by 
Wie United States to the State, shall be used for the support of the same. 

Tiiese institutions are well maintained and flourisliing-. 
''Property dedicated to the use antl belonging to public schools, or em- 
ployed by municipal corponations for that purpose, shall be and is hereby- 
exempted from seizure." 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 



129 



STATEIVIKNTS 

Condensed from the Biennial Report of the State Superintendent of Public 
Education— 1890-1891. 



Parishes. 



Acadia 

Ascension 

Assumption 

Avoyelles 

Baton Rouge, East. 
Baton Rouge, West. 

Bienville 

Bossier 

Caddo 

Calcasieu 

Caldwell 

Cameron 

Carroll, East 

Carroll, West 

C^talioula 

Claiborne 

Concordia 

DeSoto 

Feliciana, East 

Feliciana, West 

Franklin 

Grant 

Iberia 

Iberville 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Lafayette 

Lafourche 

Lincoln 

Livingston 

Madison 

Morehouse 

Natchitoches 

Orleans 

Ouachita 

Plaquemines 

Pointo Loupee 

Rapides 

Red River 

Richland 

Sabine 

St. Bernard 

St Charles 

St. Helena 

St. James 

St. John 

St Landry 

St. Martin 

St. Mary 

St. Tammany 

Tangipahoa 

Tensas 

Tenebonno 

Union 

Vermilion 

Vernon 

"Wafhisffton 

Webster 

Winn 



3 

33 
34 
61 
45 
17 
32 
69 
80 
62 
27 
16 
23 
8 
56 
123 
28 
8' 
41 
18 
30 
35 
26 
35 
44 
17 
18 
43 
60 
40 
31 
42 
87 
58 
57 
36 
40 
67 
31 
13 
88 
14 
17 
48 
17 
15 
59 
18 
39 
36 
60 1 
44 
46 
96] 
24t 
52 1 
22 
53! 
45! 



1,113 
2,UU1 
1,592 
2,951 
1,983 

619 
1,404 
2,528 
4,907 
2,658 
2.391 

364 
1,369 

372 
1856 
5,441 
1,174 
2,774 
1,527 

869 

740 
1.842 
2,078 
1,926 
1,715 

917 

955 
1,955 
2,894 
1 139 
1397 
1, 
3,932 
22,209 
2,898 
1,385 
1,358 
3.259 
1,469 

616 
3,861 

475 

907 
1,457 

840 

729 
1,350 
1,015 
3,097 
1,138 
2,156 
2,373 
2,288 
3,946 

643 
1,541 
1,250 
2,432 
1,642 



• 1 OD 






S3 

-A _ 

739! 
1,318 

1,187] 



\o a. 
, . S 
o e 



e^ O 






40 29.93^ 
42 32.25" 



1.544 

531; 

823 

1,497 

2,932! 

1,866 

1,594; 

254 

945 

292 

1,319 

4,774 

910 

2,238 

1,106 

669 

603 

1,178 

1,042 

1,668 

1,328 

706 

546 

1,551 

2,215 



30. 80 J 

26.55 

29.904 

30.62i 

33.93 

32. 37 J 

31.86 

36.55 



1,222 
1,441 
3 484 
16,087 
2,285 



29. 
23 
51 
25 
31 
29 
32 
28. 
20 
29. 
23 
30. 
35. 
31. 
26 
35 
19 36 
50 35 



1.076! 

2,339 
959 
494 

2,476 
388 



60 31 
41 16 
31 35 
45 39 

88 38 
466180 

,...38 
36 30 



I 130,711 



1,398 

551 

528 

952 

690 

2,454 

885 

1,730 

2,067 

1,782 

2,590 

499 

1,235 



1,886 
1,047 



24 
36. 
30 
40 
25 
14122, 
17 40 
20 
35 
30 
30 
23! 30 
65; 31 
26 
27 
49 
30 
1 
34 
26 



^1 

'So* 



■5,5*0 

© cc k 



20 



28 



190 
?.C4 



142 
319 



1,740 



463 

534 

44 

4€ 

295 



140 
1.397 



16,610 
90 



14 196 



158 
332 



14 

600 



322 



130 



STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARIES OF TEACHERS. 



Years. 



1884 
1885 
1886 

1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 



Males. 


Females 


33.95 


29.45 


34.82 


31.75 


34.83 


31.72 


34.20 


31.40 


34.09 


31.20 


36.30 


32.16 


38.20 


32.18 



BXXRACT 

From the Latest Biennial Report of the State Superintendent of I'ublic 

Education. 

" GENERAL OBSERVATIONS." 

"The public school system is rapidly growing in popular favor in this 
State ; and it may be truthfully said that there but few communities to be 
found so callous and benighted as not to fully appreciate the importance of 
educating their children, and fitting them for the duties and responsibilities 
of life. 

"In our cities and throughout the rural districts, very many of our best 
and ablest men and women are giving their aid and influence to the advance- 
ment of the cause, and the great masses of the i>eople are beginning to realize 
the pressure of a new and higher civilization. Elements of success are com- 
bining in this State that must assuredly triumph over all obstacles and 
disadvantages, and soon place the public school system of Louisiana in the 
front rank of the forty-four State systems now pi-evailing in this country. 

"It is not pretended that our system is perfect, or that its success is 
commensurate with our desires, but we do mean that there has been a steady 
advance, an orderly progress, and that however inadequate our school tovo- 
nues may still be, they exceeded a million last year, and that we have abun- 
dant reason to feel gratified and encouraged with the general outlook. We 
feel satisfied that the table and diagrams appearing in this report will bear 
us out in what we say." 



BUREAU OF IMMIGrRATION. 131 



OAM^B IvAWS OF LOUISIANA. 



EXTRACTS FROM ACTS OF 1882-101. 

"It shall be unlawful iu this State to catch, kill or pursue with such 
intent, auy wild buck, deer or fawn, or to have the same in possession after 
it has been caught or killed, between the first days of March and the first 
day of October of each year, under a penalty of not less than five dollars nor 
more than fifty dollars for each oftense." 

Sec, 959. '*No person shall catch, kill or pursue with, such intent, or 
have the same iu i)08session after it has been caught or killed, anj- wild tur- 
key, between the fifteenth day of April and the first day of October in each 
year nnder a penalty of not less than ten nor jnore than twenty dollars for 
each off'ense." 

Sec. 960. " No person who shall catch, kill or pursue with such intent, 
or have the same iu possession after it has been caught or killed, any quail, 
partridge or pheasant between the first day of April and the first day of 
October in each year, under a penalty of not less than ten nor more than 
twenty -five dollars for each ofi"euse ; provided, the police juries of the various 
parishes may regulate the time the provisions of this section are to take 
-effect in their respective parishes ; and provided further, that in each and 
every parish in which the said i)olice juries fail to regulate such time, the 
time specified in said section shall iirevail." 



132 'state of LOUISIANA. 



REASONS FOR CULLING THE MID-SUMMER CONVENTION. 



The climate of Louisiana has been so little known and so 
often misrepresented, that its prosperity has been retarded by 
unfavorable reports. The leading citizens who desire the pros- 
perity of the State and are anxious to have a good class of people 
from other States to come here and make Louisiana their home, 
adopted the plan of having a convention, exclusively of Northern 
and Western men and natives of other States, held in the city of 
New Orleans in the hottest month of the year, for the purpose of 
having the statements of these adopted citizens, as to their own 
experience, while living in the State ; so that the people of other 
States could judge from the statements of their own people^ 
what is the character of the soil and climate of Louisiana. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 133 



MID-SUMMER CONVENTION 

Assembled 8th of Angnat under the Anspiceis of the 

State Immigration Association of LiOiiisiana 

COMPOSED' ENTIRELY OF FORMER CITIZENS, • 

(Over SOO in Number. Every One in the State Invited.) 

OF 

Nortliern, West ern and Middle States, 

NOAAT HESIDENTS OF LOUISIANA. 



The followiug are part of the resolutions drawn up and 
adopted by the convention which was held in New Orleans, and 
will indicate to our friends in the North and West the real facte 
in regard to many important matters here. The committee 
appointed on resolutions after carefully taking in the whole 
situation reported as follows : 

The resolutions were adopted, the entire convention standing 
and not a dissenting voice : 

Resolved, That this Immigration Cenveution, composed of those who have 
come here from other States and have found here a hearty welcome among a 
hospitable people, desire to express to the citizens of other States the great 
advantages to be enjoyed here, and to render this testimony to the marvelous 
advantages here enjoyed in climate, health, fertility of the soil, its cheapness, 
and the vast opportunities for the requisites of a competence, which we 
believe are better than now oftered in any other State in the Union. 

Eesolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the officers 
and members of the State Immigration Association for thus bringing together 
from all parts of the State these newly adopted citizens, thus giving them an 
opportunity to express their views concerning the facility of the soil, the 
healfchfulness of the climate and the hospitality of the people. 

Eesolved, That the experience of the members of this convention in the 
interests of labor assures us that the dignity of labor is respected as highly 

9 



■TM STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



>m Loiiisiaua, as in any other State, and that honorably toil is uo bar to pre- 
jHferment in any direction, bnt rather an aid thereto. 

lu introducing Prof. S. D. Luciis to tbe convention as tem- 

;^>orary chairnuui, Col. Moorman said : 

" In a(;cordance with the programme arranged and as pre- 
"vioiisly announced, I now have tlic honor to call to the chair as 
temporary i)re.siding- officer, 

PROP. S. DKCATUU LUCAS. 

a'armerly from Afton iu the State of Iowa, having resided in this 
*Btate about one year. He comes accredited from his ua,tive State 
as a gentleman of the highest character- and of fine ability, and 
he has proven, during his residence in this State, that he has 
nilly merited the high encomiums given him by his former fellow- 
Citizens of Iowa." 

Col. W. E. Lyman moved the appointment of a committee of 
three to escort Prof. Lucas to the chair. 

The motion prevailed and a committee of three, composed of 
Prof. S. A. Knapp, of Lake Charles, La., Maj. Richard A. Pom- 
eroy, of Iberia, and Dr. S. D. Carpenter, of Plaquemine, were 
.st.ppointed to escort Prof. Lucas to the platform. This distin- 
:guished gentleman came to Louivsiana from Afton, Union county, 
Jowa, just one year ago. He was appointed superintendent of 
public schools in Iowa. 

Prof. Lucas on takiug the chair said : 

" It is truly a surprise to me to be appoiirt.ed to this place 
to-day, and I beg to say I greaily appreciate the honor. I am 
irom the State of Iowa, and I feel proud that I am called upon 
to preside over a convention of my fellow citizeus in this my 
adopted State, particularly so, as I have only resided in the State 
of Louisiana about one year. We will now proceed to business." 

NOMINATIONS WERE DECLARED IN ORDER 

for the election of temporary secretary. Prof. A. Thompson, 
(Iowa,) of Lake Charles, and Mr. T. A. Clayton, (Kansas,) of St. 
Ijandry, were nominated, and Prof. Thomi)Son was elected on the 
withdrawal of Mr. Clayton's name. 

Mr. Clayton was made xlssistaut Secretary. 

It was moved that a committee of nine be appointed on rules 
and order. 

Prof, S. A. Knapp, of Cj^Icasieu, thought that a committee of 
one from each congressional district should be appointed on 
simple organization, as this would expedite matters. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. IBo 



Capt. P. Butler, of Richlaud parisli, said the convention was 
not so nnich to exi)edit«! matters as to do ft<)od, and the com- 
mittee should consist of one from each parish where a Northern 
gentleman lives. He made an amendment to that eft'ect, whick 
was lost. The motion that 

ONE MEMBER FROM EACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, BE 

APPOINTED, 

was then x>nt and carried, and the chair named th«i following : 

Kobert Ridgway, (Indiana,) First Congressional District; 
Robert Mullenger, (Dakota,) Second; Dr. S.D. Carpenter, (Iowa), 
Third ; C. S. Steele, Fourth ; H. S. Wardwell, Fifth ; Rev. R. h. 
Patterson, (Illinois,) Sixth. 

The committee retired for deliberation. 

It was moved that a similar committee be appointed on per- 
manent organization. 

There was no objection to this, and no action on it was taken. 

A motion was made that a recess of thirty minutes be taken 
to give time for the committee t^ report, and also for those 
present to become acquainted. 

Maj. I). J. Wedge, of Clinton, moved tliat as all the speakers 
were present they would no longer delay the programme, ai»d 
that (Miief .Justice Edward Bernuidez make his address of wel- 
come. Motion was carried. 

On motion by Capt. P. Butler, of Richland, a committer, 
consisting Messrs. D. J. Wedge, V. M. Purdy and Hon. John M. 
Howell were appointed to escort to the stage Chief Justice Ber- 
nuidez, of tlie State Supreme Court, who was to deliver the first 
a<ldress of welcome. The committee retired to receive the Chief 
Justice. 

The conunittec on rules and permanent organization, reported 
as follows : 

1. That Jeiferson's ' Manual of Rules ' be accepted as the 
rules to govern this convention in the transaction of its business. 

2, Your "committee recommend further that the permanent 
organization of the convention shall be made by the selection of 
a president, and one vice-president from (^ach Congressional Dis- 
trict ; of a secretary and two assistant secretaries, a sergeant- 
at-arms, and as many assistants as the sergeant-at-arms may 
appoint." 

The report was adopted and 



136 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

PEOF. S. A. KNAPP, 

of Lake Charles, was unanimously elected jjermanent president. 

This distinguished gentleman is a native of Xew York, 
where he resided over thirty years, and is a graduate of Union 
University, New York, and came to Louisiana from Ames, Story 
county, Iowa, in the wniter of 1884. He was Professor of Agri- 
culture in the Iowa Agricultural College, and arterwards its 
president. He came on a lecturing tour, and delivered a course 
before the Mississippi Agricultural College. His degree of 
L. L. D. was conferred by the upper Iowa University, in 1880, for 
services in the cause of education. 

In accepting the trust he said : 

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Convention — It is not necessary 
to detain you a moment to make remarks on this occasion, except 
to say that we have a great many things to do, which for the 
honor of the States from which we came, and for the liomjr of 
tJie State we now live in, will, I trust, be done promptly and 
wisely. I have the honor to say that the convention is now 
calletl to order." 

After the election of officers Prof. Knapp introduced Chief 
Justice Edward Bermudez, in the following words: 

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Convention — I have the pleasure 
to introduce to you, for an address of welcome, Chief Justice 
Edward Bermudez, to represent the judiciary of Louisiana." 

ADDRESS OF AVELCOME BY CHIEF JUSTICE EDWAED BERMUDEZ. 

Mr. Chairman and Gentlgmen of the Convention — The chair, 
man has announced me as a representative of the Judiciary, on 
this occasion, This is a slight mistake. I appear in no official 
capacity whatever. I come as a private individual to make a 
few remarks on tbis occasion ; and I do it as the equal of every 
one here, the superior of none (applause). I come simply as a 
citizen of Louisiana who has at stake the good of the State, and 
will not detain you long. The address I have prepared for you, 
I have made read as a judgment. 

The promotors of the convention have met for the purpose 
©f taking such steps as may effectually stimulate immigration, 
specially from the West and North. They are men of broad 
minds, of stout hearts, of practical business capacity, who, made 
aware of the advantages to be derived in agricultural pursuits in 
this State, came to judge for themselves of her climate and salu- 
brity and the fertility of her soil. After an experimentation of a 
number of years they have announced themselves amply satisfied 
and rewarded and have settled permanently within her borders. 



BUREAU or IMMiaRATION. 13T 



THI8 IS NO POLITICAL ASSEMBLAGE. 

Men generally congregate to avert a common danger or to 
promote a common good. Seldom do they meet to accomplivsh a 
purpose which, when realized, inures exclusively to the benefit 
of others. Still such seems to be the main object of those who 
have come together on this occasion. 

They have assembled to bear testimony to established fact« 
which will induce others to follow in their footsteps, that they 
may reap advantages similar to those which they have themselves 
realized. 

They will announce in appropriate form the general resources 
and wealth of the State and give the moral assurance to all who 
may trust them, that should they immigrate and settle here, 
under proper circumstances and with the proper spirit and 
energy, their fondest aspirations will not be blasted, but on the 
contrary will be fully verified. 

Joining ihem, the citizens of the State offer to immigrants 
a large quantity of excellent and cheap lands, much superior to 
those in other States at like rates, scattered throughout the State, 
in its most fertile regions, well timbered, ftiiriy roaded, and sus- 
ceptible, by proper cultivation, of i)roductive almost 

E^TJlYTHINa ^^ECESSARY AND USEFUL 

for their welfare and prosperity, and this with little or no pains, 
with hardly any capital except the indispensable outlay to start 
with, and to have matters and things to move in the right direc- 
tion. 

They offer to them a temperature climate, free from bliz- 
zards in winter, although trying at times, but usually bearable 
in sunnner ; a country as healthy, perhaps healthier than any 
other similarly situated. Of course, people who die here frona 
disease, as they do elsewhere, but many live to quite advanced 
age. The mass is not afflicted with those extraordinary maladies 
which occasionally pray like scourges on doomed communities. 

Yellow fever once prevailing here, locally and not as a gen- 
eral thing, has not made its appearance for many years owing in 
part no doubt to wise and sanitary ju'ecautions and to a scatter- 
ing of the populations of cities. From all indications this dreaded 
curse will never more show its hideous form, or if it does it should 
not slarm settlers or planters in the rural portions of the State 
beyond its reach. 

WE OFFER TO IMMIGRANTS 

a law-abiding people, honest, charitable and chivalrous, ever 
ready to lend a helping hand to all needing and deserving assist- 
ance. 



x38 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



We offer them the assurance that our people, as a body, is a 
moral peoi)le, reverencing- relijxious princii^les, encouraging the 
development of morality and education, convinced (however mucli 
they may diverge on certain subjects on those matters) that hon- 
esty is the best policy, and that in tlieir intercourse men must be 
controlled by the wise maxim : " Do unto others that which you 
wish others to do unto you/' 

Others better informed on those toi)ics. and who will follow, 
will adduce sjitisfactory pi'oof tliat we have well regulated free 
schools and numerous churches, both of easy access ; that others 
are daily put up and maintained, wherever the need of growing 
poT'.nln+ion require'^. j>11 ovpv tl^o Stato i}v.d nt wbi'^b all c^in l<^iru, 
nuic'h more than the rudiments of knowledge and the fundamental 
prin<;ipies on wiiu h morality and religion must rest. 

They will also show that justice is administered by courts in 
which the rights of life, liberty, property and the pursuits of 
happiness are recognized and enforced under a system of legisla- 
tion which is at least 

EQUAL IF NOT SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER. 

In exchange all that is expected is that those to whom those 
friendly and advantageous offers are extended and, who may 
accept them shall be upright, energetic, enterprising and public- 
spirited men. 

Of Ix)uisiana, as of Naples, it may well be said that it is a 
fragment of heaven fallen on the earth. Indeed, the soil oi' 
Louisiana is such that tiekled with a hoe it smiles into a har- 
vest. (Applause. ) 

Let then such come to us; let them see and judge for them- 
selves of the sincerity of our representations; let them settle 
among us, exert themselves as thej^ ought to, and they may rest 
assured that their undertaking, in no way hazardous, Mill be 
orowned with success, and that all will mingle fraternally , and, 
with the blessing of Providence, enhnuce mightily the common 
good, the prosperity and the greatness of a common beloved 
State. To all Ave tender a hearty welcome. (Great applause.) 

ADDRESS OP WELCOME IIY HON. JOSEVH A. SHAKSPEARE, 
MAYOR OF NEW ORLEANS. 

Hon. Joseph A. Shakspeare, mayor of the city of ]!^ew Or- 
leans, amidst much applause, spoke as follows : 

Gentlemen 0/ the Convention — I Avelcome you in the name of 
the city of New Orleans, knowing that you are assembled here 
for one of the most momentous oc^casions ever held in Louisiana. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 139^ 



If there is one State in the South that needs a convention of suclt^ 
a gentlemen as I see before nie, 1 think it is Louisiana. We are- 
suifering for immigration. Not for that class which has at times 
found its way here, but for tliose of the superior kind to which 
you belong. (Hearty applause.) 

Louisiana lauds are as fruitful as any in the country. Her 
climate is excellent, and her health (thanks to the board of 
health) has lost its old reputation, and yellow fever has, it seems, 
been shut out. 

1 hope that this will be the beginning and not the end of au 
immigration movement. There have been many conventions of 
this KiJici iicui jii oar city. I was coiiuecced vvich one myself 
some years back, and we spent money in it, too. but it was too 
soon for such a movement and nothing came of it. Now, gentle- 
men, is the propc r tiiiie to bring people such as you to the State.. 

I again welcome you to our city. (Great applause.) 

HON. J. M. HOWELL, 

of Lafourche, La., formerly of Missouri, spoke as follows : 

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Convention — Only a few minutes; 
since I was informed that I was expected to say something in. 
reply to the noble Chief Justice, who welcomed us this morning, 
as a representative of the Supreme Bench of Louisiana. I am. 
totally unprepared to reply to those sentiments. I am a Western, 
man, and was raised in the State of Missouri, I have lived in the 
States of California, Texas and Louisiana, and in all three of 
these States I have had something to do with the law. 

During my residence in Louisiana of 25 years, from personal: 
obervation, I find that the laws are as fairly and impartially 
administered here, as in any other State in the LTuion. (Ajt- 
plause.) My observations lead me to believe that Avithout regard 
to race, sex or former conditions, that nowhere in the United 
States are the laws more impartially administered than herein, 
this State. (Applause.) 

We have, especially in Southwestern Louisiana, a law- 
abiding population of this State. I have lived among Western 
men in California, have traveled over every section of this Uuiofli. 
and from all my experience I undertake to say in the presence,, 
of you gentlemen, that no people on the face of the earth have iti 
greater sense of justice and magnanimity than the Creole popu- 
lation of Louisiana. (Applause and cheers.) 

Now this is a kind of experience meeting and 1 don't expect, 
any gentlemen here to-night, will make a lengthy address. I am, 
sure I will not, as I was called upon to speak on this occasion. 



140 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

■without any i^reparation whatever, but 1 can say without fear 
of contradiction, that so far as health is c^nc^rned, so far as pro- 
ductiveni^ss of soil, no State in the Union is superior to Louisiana. 
(Applause.) 

I have raised a family here, in this State, three sons and 
three daughters, and eleven grand children, and but one death 
has occurred in the family. We passed through the epidemic of 
1878, we were all subject to the disease, most of us had it, and 
we all came out unscathed. There is no other State in the Union 
where tbe mortality is less than here in Southwestern Louisiana, 
and I am glad to see that the tide of immigration has turned this 
way. I have passed through ail of the Western Territories, and 
know something about their topography and productiveness, and 
I assure you, that there are places here in Louisiana where five 
(5) acres of land will produce more than a county in the North- 
west. Lands too are much cheaper here than in Idaho, Kew 
Mexico, and other Western Territories. W<5 do not appreciate 
the country we live in as an Iowa genth^nian told me, that we do 
not know what <mr lands are capable of producing, that he had 
orossed the continent, and found this more fruitful than in any 
portion of the United States. We have been so successful in our 
undertakings, and with so little exertion, that we have fallen 
behind in the great race that is going on in this country. 

I approve of xjlantiug colonies in Louisiana, and hoi)e that 
this system will continue until it takes in tbe whole State of 
Louisiana. I thank you, gentlemen, for your kind attention. 

Judge Howell was frequently applauded during the delivery 
of his remarks. 

PROF. H. A. KNAPP 

spoke as follows : 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen — I would gladly have 
been excused from this duty, only it would have disturbed the 
programme and I therefore, consented to make a few remarks. 
I am ])repared to believe most anything that can be said about 
liouisiana. From my own standpoint, it is the, most remarkable 
piece of geography on the face of the earth. No other portion, as 
a unity, compares to it. (Applause.) 

It would be necessary to take the prairies of Iowa, the rugged 
timber lands of Maine, and the entire delta of the Nile, twist 
them all together and thrust through them the Amazon to pro- 
duce another Louisiana. (Loud cheers and applause.) 

Now what I want is this: that that position of geography 
which is exceptional in its nature, superlative in its character, 
ahd marvelous iii its productions, shall produce men and women 
that are not unworthy of the soil upon which they tread. (Hearty 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 141 



applause.) It was my dream in earlier life, that mau, by effort 
^should attain a perfection of training- that every muscle of his 
body and every libre would be perfectly trained to its offices, and 
that even his heartbeats would respond to the law and order of 
a cultured being', that he would thus become a mental and physi- 
cal unit, placed squarely on his feet, erect, strong, healthful, 
energetic, a moral force — not a weakling — but a power in the 
land. ^Nowhere, where 1 have gathered with men of intellect and 
thought have I met more cultured gentlemen than in the asseip- 
blies of Louisiana. (Applause.) 1 have admired them for their 
breadth, for their depth, for their thoroughness, and their culture, 
but this IS not the point to which I wish to speak to-night, a 
cultured few was the glory of the Greek. 

The greft question is the education of the masses — that every 
mau and every woman shall be fully trained and perfectly 
educated. jSTo fortress can be stronger than its weakest poiut. 
No people can be stronger than the masses that make up that 
people. What makes a nation firm, great and wise, is to have 
education x^ercolate all through the people, filtered through the 
very beings of the lowest, so that when we are seeking for mcTi 
of power and men of thought, they may be drawn from the com- 
umnity. It makes me shrink when I see that my neighbor's boys 
and my own boys cannot be selected for these favored places. 
Why! Because they have not been sufficiently educated. I 
want to see education in this great country correspond to the 
country. If it does not, it is because we are unworthy of the 
I'ountry in which we reside. (Applause.) 

Now, what must be donef In the first X)lace we need organ- 
ization and co-operation. It is impossible to carry out a broad 
education by employing teachers to instruct our separate families, 
iind it is not the best way to instruct. In order to make a strong 
boy, you must thrust intellect against intellect, brain niTist rub 
against brain, force must meet force. It is the old process of the 
Greeks and the secrets of their strength, only it is brain work 
now, and not muscle as of yore. We must bring the boys and 
girls together in groups so that they may be matched against the 
best intellects of the land, as they ascend from the connnon school 
through the gymnasium and the college into the university. 
Place the poor boy Avho has had no antecedent advantages, beside 
a boy who has had all the opportunities that wealth can give and 
the poor boy will try to measure up somehow, just as it made the 
Vermonters grow tall and slim, getting up every morning to see 
if they could not peej) over the top of the Green Mountains. 
(Applause.) 

In the great Northwest few of the now foremost people 
started with much in life. Thev came trom the homes of the 



142 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



small faririerSj and learned to toil when they were cliildren. If 
they have accumulated great wealth, it is due to their great 
energy. If they grat;e the halls of legislation at Washington and 
sit beside the greatest senator and are Ins peer, to what do they 
owe it ? 

To the institutions of the common school, the college and 
their own brave hearts and matchless courage. (Applause.) 

This is a great country lor raising cro}>s of tliis or that pro- 
duct, but that other crop which overtops all others is the boys 
and girls it produces. Its whole product is poor anfl worthless 
trash unless its men and women are of the grandest kind, 
(iiearly applause.) 

Ail roads in a iormer day centred iu Kome, all forces, in this 
modern era, center in the school. All forces shonhi go to make 
pure, strong young men, and anything that tends to distract 
their attention, to debilitate or enfeeble their minds, must be 
eliminated and we must bring to bear on this training all that 
help build a higher life, because education, iu this broad sense^ 
is extensive, and co-operative. A few cannot be great when 
many are weak ; a few cannot be wise and pure when the masses 
are the reverse. 

We must make our boys and girls high-minded, pure, virtu- 
ous, courteous, and energetic, teach them to look to high and 
grand things, teach them the possibilities of lite. 

I see our posterity in that great future, when the forces of 
nature are won dei fully aggregated and intensitied, some will 
rise and others will fall in the struggle of the nations, but upon 
the whole, the star of our i)eoj)le will be iu the ascendant. The 
elements of a great nation are upon this (rulf Coast. 

If we are woithy of our position and our age the future will 
find upon this coast, a people great and strong Uke the Romans, 
cultured like the Greeks, and with all the enthusiasm and fire 
of the ancient Saracens. 

The question is not wliether we can raise fifty bushels of 
corn to the acre, or cotton by the square mile, or whether we • 
can make money by the tliousands, but, can we produce here in 
these days of social decay, grand young men, pure, beautiful 
and noble women. (Long and hearty applause.) 

REV. v.. F. PATTERSON, 

of Baton Rouge, formerly of Charlestown, Illinois, responded to 

the welcome address of Rev. Dr. Palmer, he spoke as follows: 

Ladies and Gentlemen — It is certainl.y a very great surprise 
to me that 1 should address vou, for until I lieard my name 



BUEEAU OF IMMIGRATION. 143 



called, T was not aware that I was expected to respond to the 
very able address of Dr. Palmer. It certainly is a compliment 
from tbe convention to me, but whether the l^ortheru citizens 
will be complimented when I am through is another question. 

It was about flfteen years ago, at three o'clock in the morn- 
ing on a day not very far from the present, that I landed at 
Baton Eouge. All the testimonials I had -about my person was 
a letter of introduction from the president of the First National 
Bank of Charlestown, Illinois, to Mr. W. L. Larimore, then a 
resident of East Baton Rouge, who had been raised on adjoining 
farms, in Kentucky. They had not seen ench other for probaljly 

th''"tv ^'■' ai^i; T r>»f>siM>t!'<l tlii's l^'tl-^i' f^ tV!«> S;!''^ **'r Ij?V* '"'<^V?, 

who received my wife and me in his bouse as guests. On the 
day following he drove me around in his bnggy, and introduced 
me to the elders of the Presbyterian Church, who in less than a 
half an hour after becoming acquainted invited me to fill the 
pulpit of the Presbyterian Church on the following Sabbath. 
This was on Thursday morning, I said "• I will be very glad to 
do so, if it be your pleasure." I was next introduced to the Rev. 
iVlr. Goodwin, pastor of the Methodist Church. He said to me: 
^'Brother Patterson you must come and preach the Gospel at 
our church on next Sabbath. It is communion day, and we 
would like to have you present." I said I would like to be with 
you, but have already promised the Presbyterian Church. 
"Well, then, he said, I will invite all the Presbyterians to come 
to my church so that all may hear you." I accepted the sugges- 
tion, and the church was crowded to hear the Illinois preacher. 

I was afterwards placed in charge of the Presbyterian 
Church, with Evangelist privileges. I was made pastor of the 
church within one year after I landed at Baton Rouge. After 
serving as pastor for two and a half years, was appointed Evan- 
gelist at large for the Presbytery of Louisiana, i went down on 
the Atchafalaya after the overflow of 1874, and on my very first 
visit to that place, was met by men, not church-members, who 
said, Mr, Patterson, make this your home ; here is a horse and a 
saddle, and here is a buggy," and I have experienced for the 
last fifteen years during my residence here, this same expression 
of welcome from both people and ministry. 

To-day I have a nephew of Jefferson Davis, amongst my 
elders, who is one of my most cordial supi^orters. 

Now I have one anecdote I wish to present here as an illus- 
tration of the healthfulness of this State. Four representative 
citizens from Baton Rouge made a tour to the Western States 
and turned up in the neighborhood of Georgetown, Col. On the 
morning after their arrival while inspecting the place, they found 
they were regarded with great curiosity and no little 8uspicion< 



144 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



One man, after looking: at them from first one point and then 
another, finally said "What business have you f^entlemeu here, 
are you seeking interest in the mines f "No, was the reply. 
'•Well, what did you come for!" "Seeking our health," replied 
one of the gentlemen (they weighed about 200 pounds). The 
Westerner looking at them very earne>tly for a few minutes 
finally said, "Great Csesar, Texas and Arkansas, how many 
more such sick men have you down in your country." (Cheers 
and applause.) 

ADDRESS OF MR. ROBERT RIDGWAY, 

of Tile-Works, St. Bernard parish, La., formerly of Marion, 
Grant county, Indiana, spoke as follows : 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen — 1 wish to state by way 
of apology, in justice to myself, and for the information of this 
convention, that by some mishap or oversight I had no notice 
that I was expected to prepare an address for this meetitg, and 
knew nothing about it until I came to this convention and saw 
my name listed on the programme for an address for St. Bernard 
parish and vicinity. I therefore have had no opportunity for 
gathering data and statistics whereby I miglit have been much 
better prepared to have represented my section of the fair and 
fertile State of Louisiana. It cannot therefore be expected that 
I do more than glance at the many advantages to be found in 
the grand and historic parish of St. Bernard. 

I live in this parish and consider it one of the best in the 
State, and notwitlistandiug the great and varied advantages 
that have been so well set forth in this convention of the other 
parishes of Louisiana, permit me to say, right here, that those of 
St. Bernard are yet unsurpassed. 

This parish adjoins the city of New Orleans, the gr-at me- 
tropolis of the sunny South, and is connected therewith by lake, 
canal, river and railroad communications, unsurpassed by any 
other section of the State. 

The soil of St. Bernard is perhaps as fine and fertile as any 
in Louisiana or even in the known world ; and what has been 
said in this convention of the healtli, climate and seasons, also 
of the variety, quantity and quality of the products of other par- 
ishes are equally true of St. Bernard. (Applause.) 

I came to this parish an invalid thres years ago last June. 
Had been suffering with that loathsome disease "nasal catarrh." 
I had exhausted medical skill without effecting a cure. Being 
called here on business I hired men and superintended the con- 
struction of a factory for the manufacture of underdrain tiles. 



BUREAU OF EVOnGRATION. 145 



(This beiug ILe pioueer tile works of the State.) At first I was 
a little cautions, having' been taught the erroneous idea that no 
white man could labor under this tropical sun and live, that 
none but colored men could do out-door manual labor. I hired 
a number of negroes and undertook the arduous task cf teaching 
them by examples how to work, as I did not fear a little while 
at a time myself finally I shed my umbrella and linen, rolled my 
sleeves and made a lull hand, discounting any two darkles that 
could be found. 

Scarce had two weeks elapsed before I felt that the shackles 
of disease were breaking and falling ofl', and in six weeks from 
the time I' had landed in Louisiana I had almost wholly recov- 
ered. In short I found that this country was not so deathly 
after all. (Applause.) 

By the time I had our tile-works constructed and well into 
operation I had become so well pleased with the country and 
people that 1 concluded to make it my home. (Applause.) 

During the following summer of 1886 I went up on Bayou 
Lafourche, and thoroughly tile drained sixty-seven acres of land. 
There, I not only superintended the work of excavation, but 
handled the instruments and spade as well as the colored men, 
I brought men fresh from the Hoosier State and put them righc 
to work, never missing a meal, and all had hearty appetites and 
good stomachs. 

I think I have demonstrated to my own and others satisfac- 
tion that Louisiana is a place where Northern men can come and 
labor and live. (Applause.) 

Too much cannot be said in praise of Louisiana. I find at 
least from personal observation, that Louisiana possesses to a 
most wonderful degree, great opportunities for making money, 
and a young man with any get up about him, with only a little 
money or even nothing but his energy, can in a few years make 
a fortune as an agriculturist alone. There is no country on earth 
that has any greater advantages than Louisiana. (Applause.) 

We have twelve months working season, and products for 
the year round. In the North and West we can labor only part 
of the year, and during the other three months they have to 
consume or eat up what they have laid by — not so here — Lou- 
isiana offers luost wonderful advantages for the enterprising 
mm to come and take hold of. I must be brief in my remarks; 
there has been much said of Louisiana, of her benefits and 
advantages, by tongues more flowery than mine, but I will say 
that the whole has not been told. (Applause.) 



146 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

ADDRESS OF HON. E. BOURNE, 

of Abbeville, Vermilion parish, La., formerly of Cooperstowa, 
J^^. Y., who read as follows : 

Mr. President^ Ladies and Gentlemen — The paaish of Ver 
inilion is situated in Southwest Louisiana, it is bounded on the 
southwest by the Gulf of Mexico, on the south and southeast by 
Vermillion bay. There is about eight miles of marsh in width, 
extending the entire width of the parish, where thousands of 
cattle are pastured winter and summer, with no other food than 
is found on the marsh. Southwest pass is situated in Vermilion 
parish. 

Southwest pass is the junction of the Gulf of Mexico an4 
Vermilion bay, where there is open deep ivater, through the 
Gulf of Mexico to all parts of the world. 

There is now a survey being made, for a railroad to conueet 
us with different Western roads at Alexandria, La., and to run 
from that point to Southwest pass in Vermilion parish, 

Vermilion river runs through Vermilion parish, from north 
to south, discharging its waters into Vermilion bay, about twelve 
miles east of Southwest pass. We have constant steamboat 
navigation by way of Vermilion river to the Gnlt of Mexico; 
also many sloops, schooners and oyster luggers traverse the 
entire width of the parish, and beyond into Lafayette parish. 
We also have the finest of oysters during the winter at seventy- 
five cents per hundred; our agricultural products are sugar 
cane, rice, corn, sweet and Irish potatoes, cotton and cabbage. 
All vegetables grow in abundance. 

Our fruits are very fine, and the first in excellence is the 
Kieffer and LeConte pears; we also have splendid peaches, 
plums, nectarines, figs, grapes all small fruits; and all the above 
can be grown as well or better than in the North and West. 
Also apples will do well here ])articularly early apples ; but 
winter apples will not equal the Northern grown fruit, but early 
and late apples are well worth cultivating. AVe have some 
oranges but they are not always certain fruit, we occasionally 
have a freeze that will injure and sometimes kill the trees; yet 
every one should plant a few trees, as they do very well in this 
parish. 

As for a man's political sentiments, he can express them as 
freely here, and not be molested as he can in the North or West. 
To say there is no rascality at the polls would be to say an un- 
truth,'^but are all the elections at the North conducted with 
Christian piety, let those well versed with politics answer. 



BUREAU OF IM3IIGRATION. 147 



We are not molested, neither in our political sentiments, nor 
with our desire to vote. 

We are not (»nly kindly received dnt Southern people are 
very anxious to have us come. 

They are not anxious for European immigration, but they 
are very glad for Western peojjle to come. They are extremely 
anxious for Western thrift and vim to come. 

If demagogues would quit their misrepresentations it would 
be better both for North and South. 

Vermilion parish has a rich soil and good health. 

We have almost a constant sea breeze, the nights are delight- 
fully cool, often we want a light covering by 12 o'clock at night. 

The heat is not so oppressive as it is in Illinois or Indiana. 
The thermometer rarely ever reaches to 96^; I have never seen 
it over 96"^. 

Tbe health of our citizens is very good, far better than ia 
the Western States. This is a great fruit country and by the 
time we can get orchards in good bearing we will have direct 
railroad communication with the great West. 

We have garden vegetables the year round. Suoh vegeta- 
bles as beets, cabbage, carrots, jiarsnips, turnips, lettuce and 
onions growing all winter, the little freeze we have here does not 
hurt them. 

When we get a railroad to Alexandria, La., this will be a 
great truck farming country; we will have the great West for 
our market. 

There is no section of the South that can beat us in fruit 
itfowing and vegetable garden. Set aside once for all the manr 
foolish tales told to you of the hostile feelings of Southern peopU 
as against the Western or Northern people. Human nature is 
about the same all the world over. The great diflfereuce that 
exists, is their surroundings, each and every section has its 
peculiarities. 

All who wish to leave the cold blizzards of the North, and 
come to the Sunny South, will receive the right hand of fellow- 
ship, and no bulldozing. You can laugh at the peculiarities of 
Southern people, and in return they will laugh at yours, and be 
good friends. 

One objection Northern and Western people have heretofore 
had to Louisiana was that there was no Sunday law; we have 
now a Sunday law and is strictly enforced. Public schools are 
improving; we have public schools in this parish for ten months 



148 STATE OP LOUISIANA. 

in the year. Morality is improviug. Our next fight will be 
against the liquor traffic. To-morrow a mass meeting will bet 
held to send delegates to a State Convention to be held at 
Monroe, La. • 

The writer of the above is a native of New York, and invite* 
all to come to Vermilion parish and you will receive a hearty 
welcome. (Applause.) 

ADDRESS OF HON. J. H, KEYSEE, 

of Bellevue, Bossier parish, La., formerly of Pennsylvania, who* 
reatl as follows : 

Mr. President^ Ladies and Gentlemen — Bossier parish has a 
population of about 17,000 with plenty of room for as many more. 
It is bounded on the north by the State of Arkansas, on the east 
by Webster parish, on the west by Caddo and on the south by 
Red River parish; two railroads pass through the parish, one 
from Yicksburg to Shreveport, the other trom the Arkansas line 
to Shreveport. It is well watered and lias a large body of land 
as rich and fertile as any in the State. There are large tracts 
of upland, uncultivated, that could be made as productive as 
lands of a like character anywhere, and is the best poor man's- 
country in my knowledge ; a laborer can work three days in six 
and live well. The lauds in the parish are well adapted to all 
kinds of grain and fruits, and the climate and general health 
equal that of any place I have seen. I traveled years ago 
portions of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, and spent 
my early life in Pennsylvania, and have been living since 1870 
in Bossier parish, La., and taking everything into consideration, 
I believe a man can live with as much comfort and enjoyment 
in Louisiana as in any other State of the Union. The people 
are kind, generous and hospitable, and rarely intermeddle with 
the political or religious opinions of any one. The great need of 
the State, is immigrants to fill up her waste places that only 
need proper culture, to produce in abundance. 

And the State and its capabilities only need to be made 
known generally to attract immigration, and the time is not far 
distant when Louisiana will be recognized as among the first 
States of the Union. 

In the last few years iron ore has been found in abundance 
in the northern portion of Bossier parish, which will certainly 
be utilized in the near fnture, and labor and capital will be 
needed, and all of every nationality and every creed are cordially 
invited to lend a helping hand ; »ve have use for all the brain,, 
muscle and cash we can get. (Applause.) 



BUREAU Of IMMIGEATION. 149 

The next address was by * 

MR. WILL H. TUNNARD, 

of Natchitoches, formerly of Xew Jersey, in place of Mr. W. J. 
Ariiett, formerly from jVlorley, Mich., who read as follows: 

Ladies and Gentlemen — This parish is one of the richest and 
most productive in Central Louisiana. Most of its lauds are 
above overflow. It is composed of alluvial, hill, and pine lands. 
Its products are cotton, corn, cane, stock-raising, grasses, grain, 
vegetables, fruits, such as fig, pomegranate, peach, pear, plum, 
strawberry, dewberry, blackberry add other varieties. Timber 
in this parish" consists of oak, hickory, ash, beech, maple, dog- 
wood, gum, pine, willow, cotton-wood, elm, hickory, pecan, locust, 
magnolia, cypress, walnut and other varieties. Our pine forests 
are simplj^ magnificeut. Its alluvial soils are beyond computa- 
tion or description. They are of all colors and great fertility. 
The uplands are usually of a sandy nature but fertile, particu- 
larly for fruit raising. This has been demonstrated by the fact 
that a large number of farmers are now living independent, hav- 
ing raised their own "hog and hominy '' within their own pre- 
cincts. 

Schools are abundant and of every denomination. They 
include the State. ^S^oruial : the Convent of Divine Providence j 
and numerous private and several public schools. 

The water supply in the parish is abundant. Gushing springs 
in the pine hills; cisterns in the valleys, besides valuable min- 
eral springs in great variety. Fish are abundant in various 
streams and bayous, consisting of perch, trout, cat, gaspergoo, 
buffalo, pike and any variety of other small fish. The price of 
land depends in price on its location and ranges from |2.50 to 
$25 per acre. Our climate is salubrious; free from epidemics 
and storms, and as a general rule, healthy where proper precau- 
tions are taken against intermittent and bilious fevers. The 
temperature is usually mild and seldom reaches a high figure. 
Eeligion includes Catholic, Jewish, Baptist, Methodist and Epis- 
copalians. Society is as good as elsewhere found. Cane river 
is free from overflow. No levees ; no taxation in this respect. 

It is a country tor an industrious tarmer, and he can make a 
splendid living here by his industry. (Applause.) 

To show what our Northern visitors think of Natchitoches 
parish, I append the following letter, which speaks for itself: 

MoRLEY, Mich., May 12, 1888. 

Col. A. E. Lemlee, Natchitoches, La. : 

I left Michigan on March 19, 188S, for the South, and landed 
in the city of Natchitoches one week later. When I left Michi- 

lO 



150 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



gaii tLeie was plenty of snow and ice, and when I arrived in 
Natrhitocb'^* T found things all»oge<-lier difror^'ut. There was 
plenty of grass for stock, the fruit trees had bloomed, and garden 
vegetables of all kinds were growing and flowers all ready to 
bloom, and, if I remember right, some had bloomed. 

Ladies, why stay a-t the North and burn 1 50 worth of wood 
to keep a few flowers from freezing when you can come South 
and have them bloom nine month in the year and have them 
out doors, and then you can have your early vegetables all 
through April. Just think of it ; and, let me tell you, I ate 
some as flue dewberries as I ever ate in my life the last week in 
April, and you jieople tliat were in the North were shivering 
around the fire. I think fruit of most any kind will grow here 
in abundance. There is soil to be found adapted to most every- 
thing and excellent soil, too, and the climate, so far as I have 
experienced it, is very nice. It did not affect me disagreeably 
so far. I think, if anything, it has benefitaed me, as I have 
gained several pounds in weight; and in regarJ to the reception 
I received from the people, I must say that it was better than I 
expf ctcd. I find them pleasant and hospitable in every way. 
There is a variety of openings, plenty for all classes ; plenty of 
fine farming lands, both improved and unim])roved, to be had 
cheap, and plenty of timber of all kinds; fine chance for stock- 
raising as you need to feed for so short a time during the year 
that the expense is small compared to where you feed six months 
in the year. There is opening for a cotton factory, oil mill, fur- 
niture factory, grist mill, banks, hotels, i^hotographer, and others, 
too numerous to mention. Eespectfully, 

W. J. Arnett. 

Also I append the following extract from a letter which 
gives the reader a few ideas of the country in and around Nat- 
chitoches : 

New Lothrop, Mich, May 21, 1888. 

Our next move was for the Eed River country, in North 
Louisiana. We took the Texas Pacific train for Natchitoches, 
and passed for miles through sugar plantations, with here and 
there a field of rice or corn. Gradually the color of the soil 
began to change from black to brownish red, and the crops from 
cane and rice to cotton and corn. As one advances to the north- 
west the land seems higher and slightly rolling, which seemed 
to be the case as far as we went all through this Red River 
country. On the roadsides, in old fields and open woods, the 
ground is perfectly carpeted with white clover from five to six 
inches high, alibrding the finest pasturage in the world for stock 
and bees. 



BUREAU OF rMMIGrRATION. 151 



One thing peculiar to this Red River country, and different 
from anv other section of Louisiana that I visited, is, that the 
land seems to lose none of its fertility from its increased eleva- 
tion, makiuj^ in its faror three of the most imjDortant counts ia 
the selection of homes for the people, to-wit : greater healthful- 
ness, good drainage and retained fertility. 

Our next line of march was 'from Natchitoches over into 
Winn parish, in search of the stately pine for which this parish 
is noted and which is so pleasing to the eyes of lumbermen. 
Our course lay over the Cane river at Natchitoches, the banks 
of which ai-e forty feet high ; thence across the island formed by 
the Cane and Red rivers, through as fine a grazing country as 
ever a ranchman's eyes feasted upon, until we reached the St. 
Maurice ferry. A stalwart son of Africa waited at St. Maurice 
with a iiat-boat, which we drove on to, and he landed us on the 
other side of the big Red. 

Our course went over the red lands for several miles, whe» 
we struck the pine hills. We finally left the cut-out road and 
took a track cut through the woods just wide enough to admit 
the passage of wagons. We traveled on for miles and miles 
without seeing a house or clearing, through splendid forests ot 
pine and other timber, till at last we came to a cosy little home 
on top of one of those pine ridges, where reigned peace, plenty 
and contentment, and where we were treated to our fill of the 
best the land could afford : As fine bacon as man ever ate, fat- 
tened to perfection in the woods ; syrup of our host's own make, 
that has no superior; rice of his own growing, most delicious; 
corn cakes so nicely browned and sweet, and butter that would 
rival "choice Illinois" creamery, with nice white honey just that 
day gathered from a tree in the woods. Surely, what more 
could one wish for 1 

After taking our bearing and getting a starting point, with 
my host for a guide, we struck out through the piney woods to 
view some of Uncle Sam's domains. After traversing several 
sections we made a selection of a modest tract and turned our 
faces once more towards Natchitoches, well satisfied that Louis- 
iana is to be one of the grandest States in the Union. 

I cannot close this long drawn out letter without saying that 
I have traveled, more or less, in over half of the States in the 
Union, and that I never met with a more cordial welcome than 
has been oflered me by all classes in Louisiana. 

Very respectfully yours, 

Alfred Gillet. 

MOELEY, MACOSTA CO., MiCH. 

I found the climate of Natchitoches parish much better 
that I expected — not near as hot, and the nights very cool and 



'152 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



pleasant, and I consider it, from all appearances, to be a healthy 
<;ouutry. There is no dau<;er from overtiow. I saw good farm- 
ing lands even in the pine hill country. The vallej^ lands are 
an a state of nature, and those cultivated are as rich as I ever 
.saw in any State in the Union. 8ucb as I hrve seen cleared and 
in cultivation could not be bought iu Michigan for $75 per acre; 
here they can be had from ^''> to $12 per acre. The reason why 
the country has not, iu n^y opinion, been settled long- since by 

- jJJTorthern i)eople, is the political talk up North indulged in for a 

' purpose by a class of people for their own personal eijds, which 
has led many to believe that a Northern man would not be wel- 

■ come down South. This is a great mistake, for I and others 
who are with me, have been treated as hospitably and kindly as 

~ we could be by any people I was ever among. I believe this all 
"SO much that I have determined to buy a farm and settle among" 
these people. This is the home for the poor Michigan farmer, 
instead of digging in the snow. There is good timber ot all 

^descriptions, including pine. [Signed] 

Cteorge Brady. 

We give the foregoing letters to show our Northern and 
Western friends the cordiality with which we have already re- 
ceived their people who have visited us, and we can assure them 
that if they will come to Natchitoches, and the Cane river coun- 
try, to inspect our soil and products, that they will experience 
^tee same hearty welcome at the hands of our citizens. (Great 
.lapplause.) 

The next address was by 

HON. JOHN DYMOND, 

«of Plaquemines parish, formerly of New York, who spoke as 
follows : 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen — I have been notified 
that I would be expected to deliver a short address upon this 
interesting occasion, therefore I will make a few remarks which 
may be pertinent to the subject — and will gladly do everything 
in m7 power to assist the grand cause for which this Convention 
was summoned. 

Louisiana is ready to welcome honcvSt men from all parts of 
the Union, and no better evidence of the hospitality of the people, 
or desirability as a place of living than the fact of you who have 
settled here, coming together and saying that you like the land 
you live in, and shall be glad to see friends seems here from all 
•quarters of the globe. (Applause.) 



BUREAU OF IMMIG-RATION. loS^ 



I was biouglit up in Ohio, lived in Xew York for over 
twenty years, and have lived here most of the time for twouty- 
two years and during- the last eleven years have been a citizen 
of this State. All of my children were born in New York, but 
have been here the entire eleven years excepting trips of a lew 
days' duration. Perhaps in this long while, in no other State 
has any family enjoyed such perfect health. (Applause.) 

We are here to-day to speak of what we know, regarding • 
Louisiana, and for the purpose ot telling our friends, in those less 
favored countries than this, that they may know the benefits 
that are ours so they too, may come and make their homes withv 
us. This subject of Immigration is one in which we are all inter- 
ested, and as I believe one of the most common errors Northern 
and Western people have concerning our State is, that it is not 
a very healthy State in which to live, I shall give my testimony 
on that subject. From personal experience of eleven years, I 
have never been sick, nor have my children. They are all strong 
and healthy. One of them, a Creole by birth here in Louisiana 
is the brightest and smartest of the lot. (Applause.) 

We cannot say <vhether it is due to the fact of having been. 
born in Louisiana or not. (Laughter and applause.) 

As regards the reception extended, all are heartily wel- 
comed. Northeners coming here have been surprised at the 
warm reception given them. Settlers from other States wha 
came here to live, are now holding out their hands and are invit- 
ing new comers from every other State in the TJnion to also 
share with them the advantages offered in Louisiana. (Ap- 
plause.) 

The time has come when the people appreciating as they do* 
the wonderful fertility of this soil, begin to realize that the"^ de- 
velopment of these lands, cannot be done without additional 
population. Our population is at present, I believe, about 
1000,000, perhaps slightly more, but the agricultural pursuits 
will support two or three millions as well one. 

The Western States have all filled up rapidly owing to the 
inducements held forth for both agricultural and manufacturing 
interests. 

' This State offers as mauy advantages for industries of all 
kinds as does any State in the Union, and therefore I say as a 
private citizen and as an officer of this Immigration AssociatioBr- 
that every endeavor should be used to induce immigrants to 
come here. The peopli' stand ready to share with those of other 
States the great advantages Louisiana possesses, and stand - 
ready to give them a hearty welcome, and we are willing to 
divide, what we have with those who come, belie\nng that we 
all shall be the richer for doing so, in the end. (Applause.) 



154 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



Ill regard to climate no ITortherii city at this hour is any 
cooler. The briclrs a?Kl mortar get liented,ai)d the :!ir naturally 
becomes so stitling' hot as to be almost unendurable. They have 
310 cooling breeze such as we have from the Gulf. (Applause.) 

Sun strokes, a disease from which we suffer very little here, 
is very prevalent in the I^ortheru cities, where it is often attended 
with fatal results and I believe our statistics prove that our 
warm season is quite as healthful as our cold weather. We cer- 
tainly hav^e one of the most healthful States in the Union as is 
^clearly demonstrated by the condition of the doctors residing in 
Plaqueaiines. With a population of 12,000 persons, there are but 
three or four physicians practicing, and they can scarcely make 
a living independent ot their farming interest, owing to the 
healthfulness of the climate, and I do not know of more conclu- 
sive proof than that. (Applause.) 

I believe that I have about exhausted the topic, and will 
close by saying that I had a hearty welcome from the beginning, 
have experienced it during all these years, and can say to my 
friends from all parts of the Uniou, "come here and you shall 
be equally welcomed." (Cheers and applanse.) 

ADDRESS OP ME. S. L,. CAREY 

from Manchester, Iowa, now of Jennings, La., who spoke as 
follows : 

Ladies and Gentlemen — If there is anything more pleasing, 
or that could induce me to say a few words of welcome to-night, 
it would be the fact that I have been the humble means of 
bringing down so many of these faces I see present from Iowa, 
Illiuois and the great IS^orthwest, to this Southland of Louisiana. 
And I will say that we think we have struck the veritable gar- 
den of Eden. 

The surveyor (Mr. M. Freeman) says that in prospecting 
aad digging around for corner stakes he has come across some 
df the roots of the old apple tree. He may be wrong about that 
for I often think that the forbidden fruit must have been a green 
persimmon the way it has puckered up our lives and characters. 
(Applause.) « 

About five years ago I came from Iowa to the State of 
Louisiana. Since then hundreds of people have come, aud have 
been made welcome. About a year ago the good Governor of 
this great State of Louisiana (Samuel Douglas McEnery) ten- 
dered us in a speech a most hearty welcome to this State, and 
ever since then, we have felt entirely at home. 

We have come here not to buy you out, but to identify our 
Interest with yours, to be flesh of your flesh, and bone of your 
•bone." 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 155 

This iiiimigT«tion movement started in a small wny. We 
were hut n lMn<lf''l ?t firr,*". hut we have grown Inri;e and strong 
by degrees, and not all at once. Wo have had difficulties to 
undergo, not iVou; your bounteous soil or genial eiimate, or from 
any want of welcome, but from our own ignorance, especially of 
the conditions of the soil. Vfe were told that we had seilled in 
the poorest part of Louisiana, but I can show you corn grown 
down in Calcasieu parish, the like of which was not seen at the 
Exposition, and no rertilizer was used save a little hay and straw. 

I think we have there between 500 and 600 families in Cal- 
casieu, and the prospect is that we will send to market, this 
this year, 10,000 tons of hay. 

The increase of the value of rice is over $100,000. The in- 
crease of property values in our parish has been about $3,000,000. 

If you want immigration you must ask the railroads for help. 
We have asked them, aad they say we can have those irom the 
ISTorthwest, and that they are working with us, and the rates of 
freight charged by these railroads are by no means excessive. 

River and water communication presents a competition 
which effectively keeps rates low. 

There is one thing I would like to say about this immigra- 
tion, and that is those coming to us will be loyal to our State, to 
the government and the people, and I will close with this state- 
ment, "that there is no anarchy in this immigration." (Cheers 
and applause.) 

HON. ROBERT MULLENGER. 

of Houma, Terrebonne parish. La., formerly of Springfield, Da- 
kota, spoke as follows : 

While there are States that may boast of a larger variety of 
products and may in some respects excel our State (I do not 
know where such States are) that taken for its size, for its cli- 
mate or its healthfulness, for its products or resources, 1 under- 
take to say that there is no finer State in the Union than the 
State of Louisiana. (Loud cheers and applause.) But if I rightlly 
remember rightly, the locality where i am, Terrebonne, means 
"Good land," and it is rightly named. In its sod and climate it 
is excellent, and in its production it cannot be excelled b^' any 
parish in this State or any other State. If we take that king of 
crops — the sugar cane — I can show you fields of cane to-day 
whose owners will tell you, that the yield they have frequently 
had, and expect to get, 40 tons per acre. Just to think of it. 
Forty tons means three hogsheads of sugar, which sells from $180 
"to $200 for the three hogsheads, and that acre of sugar is culti- 



156 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

vated with as little labor as one aero of corn in tlie North. Corn 
is not raided as largely as in other parishes, but as one corn is 
raised in Terrebonne as I have ever seen anywhere. The rice 
crops where raised is good ; and for what is termed " truck 
farming," I know of no be'ter place than the parish of Terre- 
bonne. In the way of fruits there has been no sjjecial effort 
made. A few fig trees, some orange trees, some grape vines, 
some Japan-plum trees and a few other varieties. These trees 
are planted and then left to take care of themselves. Like the 
old Irish lady who said when she stood at tlie door and looked 
into the room where the sick minister was lying at the point of 
death, ''If he lives, he lives; if he dies, he dies'' — so with the 
fruits, " if they live, they live ; if they die, they die." (Loud 
applause.) And yet in examining there, I have seen some of 
the finest grape-vines I ever set eyes on. I saw one grape-vine 
there(it looked like the Clinton) strong, vigorous and hardy, its 
foliage very dense, but its bunches were about tour (4) times as 
large as the Clinton, and there were fully 3060 bunches or grapes 
upon that one vine. I believe that the grape culture with proper 
cultivation can be made a decided success in Terrebonne. But 
we have in connection with this our natural resources. 

Our sea shore along the Gult shore abounds with red fish,, 
sheephead, Spanish mackerel, green and speckled trout in unlim- 
ited quantities, green turtle, large terrapins, and oysters in 
untold millions. 

In relation to health, take a good look at me, I am a fair 
specimen, strong and hearty. I have lived in England, I have 
lived on the ocean, in Illinois, Wiscousin, Minnesota, in Iowa 
a.nd i'akota, some in Virginia, some in Alabama, and ne/er in 
any ot those States have I been as healthy as clown in Terre- 
bonne. J here is, of course, some sickness there, for some people- 
every time they have a pain in their little finger have to send 
for the doctor, but you will find such people everywhere. I 
undertake to say, that for the number of people that are living 
in the parish of Terrebonnne, that there is as little sickness as 
any place where I have ever lived. 

The climate certainly is magnificent. I heard one gentle- 
man say that he believed there was more climate in Terrebonne 
to the square inch than anywhere else. 

in the North, where 1 have lived the temperature will drop 
50° within five minutes, I am not exaggerating. I was in 
Dakota during that memorable blizzard of last winter, which 
occurred on January 12th when tliere was a change of 70° from 
noon on the 12th to 6 a. m. on the 13th. We have nothing of 
that kind here. The time is not far distant, even within the 
next decade when Louisiana shall stand in the front rank assert- 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 157 



ing her birtliright, as one of the uoblest, grandest and most 
glorious ytates. (Applause.) 

I think I have spoken long enough : I thank you ladies and 
gentlemen, for your kind attention. {Long and hearty applause.,) 

The next address was by 

PROF. S. DECATUR LUCAS, 

of Minden, Webster parish. La., formerly of Afton, Iowa, who 
addressed the convention as follows : 

Mr. President^ Ladiefi mid Gentlemen — While yet in my youth, 
even as far back as my cliihlhood, I remember distinctly to have 
heard these memorable words used first by the immortal Greely: 
"Young man Go West." Considering the feeling then existing 
between the North and Soutli, what others could he give ? 

But now that cheap Western homes and valuable govern- 
ment lands may not be had east of the liockies, the tlood of 
immigration is turning in another course, and has already beguu 
to pour down upon our Southern shores. This stream under 
proper iniluences will continue to flow in u])on us until our broad 
acres, now lying idle and untilled, will literally groan beneath 
the burden of tlieir crops. 

The object of our meeting here to day is two-fold: First, to 
extend to our friends in the Norte a most hearty invitation to 
our glorious State, and assure them a cordial welcome and hos- 
pitable reception by the people of the South. Second, to dem- 
onstrate to them the numberless advantages and advantages 
and unlimited resources of our fiivored laud. (Applause.) 

In respect to the first of these objects, we can unqualifiedly 
say that never have we received a warmer welcome, nor have 
we ever been treated with more kindness and respect than by 
the people with whom we have chosen to make our homes. The 
elaborate decoration we see about us to-day, these grand dis- 
plays and adornments express far more to us than show or 
barren ornament. The State of Louisiana extends a hearty 
invitation to every man and woman in Europe and America of 
whatever nationality or creed, to come within her borders. The 
invitation is as broad as earth ; and the attractions of her cli- 
mate, the fertility of her soil, the almost limitless range of her 
productions and sources of prosperity (;ommend her to all who 
are seeking to better their condition in health or possessions. 

In speaking of the attractions that are offered to our North- 
ern brethren, I shall confine my remarks to that portion of the 
State known as North Louisiana. Here the most fastidious may 
find conditions suited to their tastes and requirements. With 



158 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



our broad expanses of alluvial lands on the east, with our elevated 
"Blutf Formation" between the Mi^on nnd Onaehita, and our 
famous Red Lands on the West, we can otfer a greater «iiversity 
of soil than can be found within the same extent in any ucher of 
the United States. In the alluvial districts we find a soil deep, 
rich and porous; absorbing water freely, and abisulatejy exempt 
from the parching drought. An adequate levee sj'stem fully 
protects it from ouerflow, and with an efficient drainage to the 
westward, a failure of crops is a consideration that gives the 
l)lanter no uneasiness whatever. 

The bluff region west of the Macon is practically above over- 
flow and generally level. In this we find the soil lighter than in 
the alluvial jiortion but highly productive and adapted to raising- 
all crops peculiar to the South. West ot the Ouachita the char- 
acteristic features are radically changed ; instead of the broad 
level tracts we find the surface broken by a succession of low 
hills, the monotony of which is occasionally relieved by valleys 
and level plains. The soil is very feitile, admirably adapted to 
grazing, and the production of all kinds of grains, cotton and 
tobacco. In fact this portion of the State is more suitable to 
farming than planting. 

The health and climate of a community are two of the most 
important considerations, and in these respects North Louisiana 
can offer inducements, equalled i>erhaps by but two other States 
in the Union. We can boast an average temperature for the 
three summer months of 79° with a maximum ot 98°; while the 
average winter temperature is 52° with a minimum of 18°. This 
gives us a range of only 80°, while that ot Northern Iowa is fully 
100°. The great modifier of this Southern clime is the Gulf 
breeze which maj'^ be felt almost daily from morning until night. 
Our climate is a hai)py medium between the tropics and the 
trigid North, invigorated by daily recurring breezes and tem- 
pered and protected against sudden changes, by the benign 
influences of the ocean current which sweeps along our southern 
shores. Louisiana is a favorable climate from the first of January 
to the last of December; in fact, it is harder to brave the sum 
mer temperature of Minnesota, than that of Louisiana. No 
scorching heat, nor hot parching winds; neither marrow-stift'ening 
blizzards; but all the year, the balmy, reviving breath from the 
Gulf Stream. A case of sunstroke was never known, and ice an 
inch in thickness is rarely seen. White settlers find no difficulty 
whatever in performing field labor at all seasons of the year, and 
experience has taught us that the man who labors with regu- 
larity and moderation, has better health than he who works 
only in case of emergency. Perhaps no stronger argument in 
fiivor of the health of this country can be presented than to call 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 159 

your attention to the avoirdupois now standing in your presence, 
an:| T only n^^ret tliat my esteeino'i wife is not prp«ent to ndd 
her testimony to the already weighty evidence, and in this con- 
nection allow me to add that our health has been materially 
improved since coming into tliis State. (Applause.) 

How an adverse report in regard to the healththlness of 
Louisiana was started, is beyond my comprehension. It was 
surely not originated from auj^ authentic or official statement. 
But that such a report is circulated is quite evident. >'ot a 
week since, a tall, lean, stoop-shouldered individual, with pinched 
face and hollow chest stopped off the train, while it was stopping 
for dinner at Delhi, and being attracted by the generally healthy 
appearance of a group of men near the postoftice, inquired : ''Do 
you live here in Louisirtna?" We assured him tlat we enjoyed 
that privilege. "And have you been long in this State f he 
asked. "Some as long as twenty years.'' Said he, "I have 
been living in Mississii)pi, and hearing of the unhealthfulness of 
this country, almost feared to pass through on my way to Texas 
for my health, but since crossing the Mississippi river, I hiave 
seeen more strong and hearty men than I dare hope to find in 
Texas." (Applause.) 

But the great object of immigration is the bettering of one's 
financial condition. The first query that absorbs the attention 
of the man who contemplates moving is, what are the llnancial 
prospects ; what are the opportunities for making a living, and 
what for accumulating wealth ". 

Generally the emigrant is an agriculturist. There is no 
staple crop in all the Northern States that will yield as large 
returns to the acre, as can be realized on cotton in the alluvial 
districts of Louisiana, and this product may be raised with one- 
half die investment in horses and machinery that is required 
to run a northern farm. 'Tis true the yield of corn is not so 
abundant as in some other States, but it is also true that the 
demand for home consumption is as limited as the supply. 
Vegetables of all kinds, and fruits of almost every variety grow 
in the greatest profusion and luxuriance. 

Another employment that will in the near future occupy the 
attention of thousands of our inhabitants and furnish investment 
for millions of capital, is the raising of stock. In tliis I may 
safely say that we have facilities which will enable us to compete 
with any country on the face of the globe. (Ajiplause.) 

Native grasses and cane brakes furnish abundance of whole- 
some and substantial pasturage winter and summer, cattle are 
always ready for market after January knd come from the range 
in the early spring, in a condition to command the highest mar- 



160 STATE CF LOUISIANA 

ket price. Witli pasturage as free as the open air au<l uo ex- 
pense whatever except the cost of the original herd, what, except 
the want of sufficient railways to bring the cost of transporta- 
tion to the larger markets within a reasonable limit, can ])reveut 
us from attaining the highest rank in the production of this sta- 
l^le commodity ? 

There is no reason whatever that a man should not under 
any circumstances, prosper in a country like this. Take for ex- 
ample a man without capital.- In obtaining land he has three 
options; of leasing a partially improved tract, of entering a 
homestead, or of purchasing at a low j)rice on easy terms. If 
he makes any iJi-eparation whatever for a crop, any merchant in 
his vicinity is ready to supply him until fall. This will enable 
him to make a crop with only sufficient outlay to get a light 
plow and an ordinary mule. Laud may be had at any price 
from $1 to 1 10 per acre. With the opportunities just mentioned 
he can make a living tor his family with perfect ease ; but had 
he sufficient means to furnish a farm of 160 acres he would witlr 
proper attention, make a handsome profit. 

I would be committing an unpardonable neglect against our 
noble State, not to bring to the notice of tlie public the un- 
bounded value of her natural resources. Of these, the most 
valuable are her vast forests of timber consisting as they do of 
great varieties of oak, pine, cypress, gum, hickory and magnolia, 
they will readily furnish material for building and manufactur- 
ing purposes, for generations to come. Here we see the princely 
cypress and the gigantic oak towering to the heavens ; the 
majestic pine lifting its stately head to the skies and bathing its 
stately head to the skies and bathings its branches in the skies, 
all awaiting the woodman's axe to convert them into sources of 
untold millions. As an evidence of the comparative importance 
of the timber growth of Louisiana, a Michigan lumberman, in a 
tour of inspection through her forests was heard to say, that 
never in all his experience had such an infinite wealth of timber, 
coupled with such natural accessibility, come within his notice. 
He has recently demonstrated the sincerity of his assertion by 
purchasing 20,600 acres and preparing to convert it into mar- 
ketable form. 

The query so frequently heard throughout the Northern 
States as to where the timber for building and manufacturing 
purposes would in the future be obtained, is readily answered 
by a survey of the illimitable resources within our boundaries 

The wealth that lies buried beneath our soil though yet only 
partially developed is too vast to be overlooked. This consists 
of rich deposits of coal and iron, found in such quantities and 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 161 



such proximity as to cause each to enhance the value of the 
other. 

Socially, North Louisiana is all that could be wished. Public 
schools are sustained f.-^oni three to five months in every where 
there can be had an attendance of ten pupds, and private schools 
are kept up the remainder of the year. There are mauy churches 
of all denominations, supported by a people, anxious for the 
dissemiuation of Che gospel. Our political institutions have 
undergone systematic reorganization and freedom of the ballot 
is an assured fact. So that in this regard there need be no 
hesitancy whatever on the part of the man who contemplates 
coming South. And now, dear friends, it lies within your power, 
not only materially to increase your own prospects, but also to 
benefit the great concourse of humanity which yearly perishes 
from cold or is prostrated by the summer heat in the vain 
attempt to eke out a miserable existence from the reluctant and 
oft uncertain soil.'' (Long applause.) 

ADDRESS OF HON. JOHN W. AUSTIN, 

at Plaqu< mine, Iberville parish. La., formerly of Poultney, Rut- 
laud county, Vermont, who read as follows : 

Mr. President and Gentlemen — When requested to speak for 
Iberville in this Convention, I was told that my experience of 
many years in Louisiana would enable me to state facts and 
ofter suggestions that might be interesting to our brethren from 
l^Torthern States. 1 doubted my ability to do so, but consented 
to make the efiort, and if to-day I succeed in giving new light or 
encouragement to those who have come, and those who think of 
coming- to abide with us, I shall be more than gratified. 

When I came to Louisiana in 1849, I thought of going back 
North, after having gained strength for weak lungs ; but finding 
the climate congenial — the people friendly and hospitable, I con- 
cluded to remain longer. 

With my health restored I had found new life — had formed 
new and pleasant associations, and the longer I remained ihe 
harder it was to get away. I am here yet — have been here for 
thirty-nine years, and hope to remain here in Louisiana for many 
years to come. 

It may be thought that in so long a time, my identity as a 
Northern man has been lost. To a certain extent this may be 
true — I love my adopted State, and its generous hearted people , 
I also cherish the memories of childhood and youth. I love my 
native Green Mountain State, and its generous hearted psople ; 
I also cherish the memories of childhood and youth. I love my 



362 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

native Green Mountain State and its worthy inbnl>it«nts, among 
whom I have friends and relations. I love to visit in the sum- 
mer time, but dare not encounter the long cold winters of JSew 
England, a vivid memory of which I retain. 

When visiting at my old home in Vermont, some years ago, 
I called at farm houses and talked with farmers, of vv'hom some 
were old friends, and some relations. The general complaint 
among them, was that times were hard. They told me that 
butter sold at 16 cents per pound, cheese at 8 cents, potatoes at 
30 cents per bnshel. and other produce cerrespondingly low.. 
. That they were compelled to work very hard and practice rigid 
economy in order to make both ends meet. I noticed the general 
air of comfort surrounding their homes — the good condition of 
their animals and crops. I saw that when they drove to the 
village store, or to church, they went in good style, driving 
Lambert, Highland Grey or Morgan horses. 

I wondered how these men could live so well and accomplish 
so much considering all their disadvantages of climate and soil. 
I thought I understood the secret of their success, when I no- 
ticed they worked hard wlien necessary always with intelligence 
— doing the right thing at the right time — and always ahead of 
their work. 

I thought then that if such farmers — with such habits of in- 
dustry and economy would come to Louisiana with their intelli- 
gence and steady habits, they would not find it hard to make 
both ends meet, nor very diflficult to make a ibrtune. 

I told them of the deep rich soil in Louisiana. That we 
could plow and plant in winter. That we could raise two and 
three crops in succession on the same land in a year. That we 
could have strawberries in February — new potatoes in March, 
and a great variety of truits and vegetables the greater part of 
the year. That we sold butter at 50 cents per pound, milk 10 
cents per quart, and that our cattle could take care of themselves 
the greater part of the year with but a little attention. I told 
them of our sugiir cane, our orchards, our winter gardens, our 
orange groves and our roses and mocking birds in winter. And 
when I told them that rich lands in Louisiana — available for 
cultivation — could be boujjht from 85 to $25 per acre they won- 
dered and thought it strange that such lands, at such prices, in 
a favorable climate could lemain so long unoccupied. I thought 
as they did. and think so still. 

Well, said one, I guess the sun is too hot down there for 
white men working out of doors in summer time. I admitted 
that it was rather warm, sometimes in July and August, but 
insisted that witli such management as I saw in Vermont, most 
farmers could have their work out of the way, so that they could 



BUKEAU OF IMMIGRATION. 163 



go to the spasliore, or rest uuder the shade at home, during hot 
snmmer weather. 

An old Renublicau frieud of mine, wanted to know how 
northern men were treated in Louisiana. He had been to Vir- 
ginia, where people were friendly, but had heard that in some 
States further South, northern Republicans were badly treated. 
I answered that T sometimes heard of such places, off somewhere 
else, but never believed such reports, until convinced by hearing 
both sides of the question. 

I could say for Louisiana— my parish in particular— that 
northern men are here treated Avith due respect and considera- 
tion, no matter what their political sentiments may be. 

When I came South, I was apprehensive about many things, 
the yellow fever in particular, and had I known six weeks after 
my arrival, that I was helping to care for a northern man Avith 
yellow fever, in all probability I should have been frightened 
into the fever myself, as many others have been. But the doctor 
was considerate and only informed me of my danger some weeks 
after it was over, when his patient had recovered, and gone home 
to New York. 

My next acquaintance with yellow fever was during the 
epidemic of 1853. I had it then — my only recollection of it now 
is that I was iu bed, took medicine, drank freely of cold lemon- 
ade, and was well again iu five days. 

My friend Mr. Mc Williams, of Plaquemine, came to Lou- 
isiana from New Jersey the same year I did, and has never 
consulted a doctor from that day to this. I consider him a fair 
example of the effect produced by this climate ou a northern 
man, who leads an active, prudent and temperate life. 

Mr. James S. Tuttle, a northern man, has lived in Iberville 
parish for forty-six years. He kept a record of yellow fever 
cases in Plaquemine during the epidemic of 1853. He reported 
twelve of northern men, all of whom recovered after a slight 
illness. Mr. Tuttle enjoys good health and is another fine speci- 
men of the effect of this climate. He has led an active, out-door 
temperate lite. I might name other examples to show the effect 
of this climate on northern men. Many such are found in New 
Orleans aiid all over the State. 

I intended to speak of the general health of Louisiana, but 
that question has been so ably and conscientiously treated by 
Dr. Wilkinson, that my own views would be comparatively 
insignificant. But I will offer this advice: Live iu houses well 
raised above the ground, with a free circulation of air beneath, 
sleep la well aiii-d vooms^, if possible. See to it that your house 
is so situated, and your shade trees so placed, that the sun can 



164 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



get all around your premises, and under your shade trees once 
a day. Observe all necessary liygienic rules. Lead an indus- 
trious, temperate life, and rest assured that you will enjoy as 
good health in Louisiana, as in any other i^art of the United 
States. 

I am here to present the claims of Iberville to our northern 
friends and if possible to induce many of them to become our 
neighbors and fellow-citizens. Each section of our State has its 
peculiar advantages and attractions. But I do claim for this 
parish some advantages that no other can offer. 

Iberville, in ante helium days, was the second largest sugar- 
producing parish in Louisiana, making over 40,000 hogsheads of 
sugar in one year. It embraces 23 miles of the Mississippi river, 
with its 46 miles of river front to the numerous magnificent 
plantations that line its banks on either side. It also takes in 
the greater portion of Bayou Grosse Tete, portions of upper and 
lower Grand river, all of Bayou Maringouin, all of Bayou Sorel, 
all of Bayou Plaquemine, besides various other bayous and lakes, 
all of which are navigable at all seasons of the year. 

Plaquemine cypress lumber is becoming more and more 
known and the demand for it is increasing rapidly. 

Plaquemine cyi>ress shingles are the best sawed shingles 
made. Our mills are now making over 500,000 per day. More 
tlian any other town in the world, and could find sale for as 
many more. 

I am surprised that other mills have not bean built here to 
meet the rapidly increasing demand for Plaquemine lumber and 
shingles. 

Besides our wealth of cypress, we have in great abundance 
on our water ways and vicinity, other woods of great value, 
suitable for the manufacture ot wagons, furniture, wood pulp, 
wooden bowls and cooperage of every description. And also 
woods of beautiful grain, both hard and soft, suilable for orna- 
mental work in buildings, or railroad palace cars. Among these 
woods are to be found oak, ash, cotton wood, gum, live oak, etc. 
In high water season this timber can be floated from the stump, 
and at other times can be hauled by oxen or steam capstans, the 
short distances to deep water. 

Besides the advantages to wood working mills on Bayou 
Plaquemine, of having an unlimited supply of timber floated 
within reach of their log chains. And having needed machinery 
and supplies from the great West landed by boat at their doors. 
The facilities for shipping from this point to all sections by rail 
or boat, and out to sea by ocean vessels, are advantages of great 
importance. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 166 



When we consider these favorable conditions and remember 
that manufacturing concerns are exempt from taxation in Lou- 
isiana, we are led to wonder that more men of enterprise and 
-capital have not eugaged in the development of these great; 
resources, and that the banks of IJayou Plaquemine are not lined 
with wood- working mills and factories of everj'^ description. 

ADDRESS OF HON. A. II. IJURKDOLL, 

of ('rowley, Acadia parish, La., formerly ot Edgertou, IVIijin., who 
addressed the Cimvention as follows : 

Mr. Presiflent, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Convention — There* 
are so many eloqnenc and willing witnesses here that I almost 
liesitnte to offer, in my hnmble way, testimony of my observation 
and experience as a recent settler in Louisiana. I had hoped to 
say something of the advantages of Acadia parish in particular, 
but 1 find my time limited. I will forego that part of my talk 
with only a reference to our large corn and cotton fields, oui- 
beautiful and wealth producing rice plantations ; our excellent 
fruits; the large herds of sleek cattle and horses roaming at 
large over our j)rairies and our comfortable homes of hapi)y and 
contented i)eople. I am glad that Acadia parish is so well known 
as it is, for it leaves to me the freedom of speaking of the whole 
-State of Louisiana. '' I lo^•e to tell the old, old story " has been 
sung by many with nuich energy and enthusiasm. Ladies and 
i^entlemen, with all due regard and reverence to the sacred old 
hymn, I nuist say that to-day I feel nuich like telling that new, 
new story of Louisiana's natural richness and beauty. The cor- 
diality of her peoi)le, the charming geniality of her climate, the 
hiscious sweetness of her fruits, and until recentlj' that unsung 
and unspoken welcome now extended by her people to their 
brethren of the North. (Applause.) 

When I cast about me, what food for thought comes flowing 
from the incalculable richness of this imperial commonwealth. 
Here we pass the dense pineries, then the still denser cypress. 
TIere the finest asli, oak, hickory and gum. Under our pillow at 
the north lie the hidden treasure of untold millions of ore. Xeai- 
the soothing waters of the Gulf lave the feet of our beloved 
Louisiana lie in uufathomed depth the inexhaustible said depos- 
its. Upon our eastern borders, where flows that majestic river, 
the Father of Waters, lie rich fields, bearing the sweetness of 
oiu- nation in their fertile laps, while upon our western borders, 
for many miles inland, stretches as beautiful prairies as ever 
greeted by the inspiring rays of a southland sun. 

But I am told by my friends from the land of blizzards that 
all this they believe. But how about the yellow fever and gen- 
eral malarial complaints ? How about that southern sun, which 



IGfi STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



must be dreadful ? There is the rub. The past history oi' the 
lower Missis8ii)i)i Valley lia.s a sad chapter on the ravages of 
yellow fevor. It was brought to these shores from the far South. 
Without that well-disciplined system of quarantine which now 
insures us safety, it rapidly spread and left its terrible story of 
misery and dead behind. I believe that, had the germs of this 
dreaded fever beeu sown in our JSTorthern cities as they were in 
those of the Soutli, the effect would have been equally as disas- 
trous. So far as other comi)laints are cohcerned I have thus far 
failed to note, and I believe I am in a good position to gather 
•information, that degree of sleekness which I have many times 
witnessed in the Xorth. I well know that the physicians of 
Louisiana grow wealthy no faster than do those of my former 
liome, yet I jjerceive that their fees are exactly double. 

I tind that at no time during the summer mouths have we 
had a higher temperatui^e than 96°, while at my old home in 
Minnesota the good jieople who gave me a sort of graveyard fare- 
well when I left them, have beeu enjoying the charming tempera- 
tuie of 105° to 100^. While our summer heat is tempered by 
the refreshing Gulf breeze, they are so many hundred miles 
inland tliat their winds come to them like the blast from a heated 
oven. 

But even genial skies, soothing breezes laden with health- 
giving properties, will not suffice for the man of energy who 
enjoys the plenty which (;omes through a general prosperity. 
The romance of Evangeline, nor the fragrant bloom of a hundred 
roses will give the practical man his bread and butter. 

That this is a country of "easy conditions" is true. That 
this idea is being too mucli advertised, I am afraid, is also true. 
The Xortli western faruier who rustles to his utmost for four to 
six months, to produce enough to sustain him for the next six 
months or winter, hears of the easy conditions of things here. 
He thaws loose from the ice and snow, trades free his chattel 
mortgages, sacrifices his real estate, if he has any, and comes 
South fully expecting that the birds, the little birds, will feed 
him and his family. He finds little native enterprise, no desire 
to push improv^ements. He accepts the situation, throws his 
hands idly into his lap and waits for the manna to fall into his 
mouth. Very often it don't fall, and he then " cusses" the coun- 
try. That is the kind of men who should be warned against 
coming here. We have too many of that class already. 

I can inform my iSTorthern brethren that never have I seen 
a country Avhere nature is more helpful to the enterprising and 
industrious. Out in our new parish of Acadia, where a few years 
ago it was thought the soil was worthless, except for growing- 
wild grasses, can to-day be found large fields of splendid com 



BUREAU OF IIVIMIGRATION. 167 



and cotton. Tliouvsands of a^rea of land send large yields of 
excellent rice to the markets of our country. 

^Vhat Wc need most is honest, intelligent labor. Let us 
advise our friends North on thiv^ point. Our fruits are delicious, 
but can be vastly improved. Our wild grasses afford good graz- 
ing, but good domestic grasses will be fully 100 per cent better 
for all purposes. Some of our best lands need draining ; in fact, 
we have a new old country. It produces with wonderful prompt- 
ness wiien rightfidly handled. 

During the past two weeks I have made a tour of our parish, 
and hsd ample opporturnty to test the hospitality of the people. 
From the rudest humble Acadian home to the tine and palatial 
house of the wealtliy were extended to. me greetings the most 
cordial. These receptions accorded to us by our Southern friends 
are most keenly appreciated. A grand feeling for a united 
brotherhood swells our hearts and soothe* our prejudices. Yes, 
thank the Pader of all nations, the North and South of the great- 
est and best nation on earth are shaking hands, a united people, 
who together will make this truly ." the land of the free and the 
home of the brave." (Applause.) 

The good people of Acadia have made me the honored bearer 
of this emblematic bouquet of good will. Here at the top is an 
olive branch, inviting peace and good will ; entwined about it in 
richest silver, this rice, an emblem ojf plenty. Beneath its heavy 
laden heads are bound the Japanese persimmons, rightfully said 
to be the fruit of the gods ; while at the base are woven these 
sprigs of arbor vitie — the tree of life. Acadia soil has grown 
these elements and Acadia hands have bound them together. I, 
in behalf of Acadia's prosperity, hospitality and good will, bring 
it here as a greeting from Louisiana's j^oungest parish.'* Cheers 
and applause.) 

ADDRESS OF MAJOR RICHARD A. POMEROY, 

of New Iberia, La., formerly of Georgetown, Colorado, who read 
as follows : 

I was ])orn and raised in the State of Ohio and came to 
Louisiana from Colorado and Idaho, where I have lived many 
years as a mining engineer and geologist. 

The soil of the Acadian land on the Bayou Teche is wonder- 
fully rich ami productive, being an admixture of Eed river and 
Mississippi alluvium. The surface is rolling and prairie and 
above overflow, draining into the Gnlf, Grand Lake and Bayou 
Teche. Most of the parish lies between Grand Lake and the 
Gulf of Mexico. 

Cypress, oak, gum, poplar, pecan, magnolia, ash, etc., tbrm 
the vast torests of this section. 



168 STATE or LOUISIANA. 

Sugar, cotton, rice, corn, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, oats 
and bay are tlie chief products. All vegetables with small 
umount of attention are productive, also pears, iigs, quinces, 
plums, strawberries, grapes and other fruits. Dewberries and 
blackberries grow m abundance. There is plenty of good pas- 
turage Two, and sometimes three crops are raised on the same 
ground during the year. On Petite Ansc iKliiiul is the famous 
Avery ttalt Mines, yielding annually .>(),»»(»«* tons of various 
Ij^rades of salt, which is shipped all over the country. This 
wonderful mine, with its inexhaustible soi>j)ly of Salt, is ever an 
iutcrestiug sight to the visitor. Now as a liuiiiug eugiiicGr and 
geologist, I must be allowed to say a few words regarding the 
mineral wealth of Loui^siar.a. It consists of liguite, coal, iron, 
salt, building stone, sulphur, petroleum, gold, silver, -rock" 
phosphates, marble, gypsum, fire clay, kaolin, etc. That this 
•State has quantities of minerals is an assured fact, and she offers 
to the world a grand field for mining and manufacturing. A 
little more practical geology is needed, also the judicious ex- 
penditure of capital to develop the mineral resources of the 
State. 

We have good public and private schools and churches of 
various denominations. 

As an old citizen of Colorado I must say how rejoiced I am 
that Louisiana is bound to her by the iron bonds of rail and that 
commercial intercourse and friendly relations are springing up 
between them. The interests of those two States are mutual. 
They have both climate and business to exchange with each 
other and be benefitted thereby. 

We Northern people can congratulate ourselves for having 
made our homes in so healthy and hospitable a country and can 
all join in saying: "-God bless Louisiana." (Cheers and hearty 
applause.) 

There are some northern people who came to the parish with 
consumption, catarrh, and other maladies and who were recom- 
mended to lead an outdoor life, which they have done with a 
vengeance, for they went to "swamping," which although is the 
Toughest and most exposed of all occupations, still they thrived 
under it, for they were restored to health. 

The timber swamps are located in what is known as the 
Atchafalaya valley, the greater portion of which is in, and trib- 
tiitary to the Teche parishes. The numerous rivers, bayous and 
lakes empty their waters into Berwick bay, thence through the 
lower Atchafalaya into the Gulf. This valley is about 30 miles 
wide and 50 miles long and contains the grandest cypress, oak 
smd ash forests in the State, besides thousands of acres of till- 



BUl^EAU OP IMMIGRATION. 169 

able laud which iu (inte helium days produced an abuudacce of 
sugar, rice and cotton.' Since the breaking- of the Mississippi 
levees, which caused overflows, not much has been done in the 
waj^ of plautinff. Now that the State and National government 
are rei:>airiug the levees, making them better than before, thi» 
section will soon be considered sale from overflow. The lands 
are extremely fertile and, judging from the stalwart men of all 
ages who live there, it is undoubtedly a healthy section. So 
much for the Atc-hafalaya. 

Many years ago numbers of Northern people of education! 
and means settled in the Attakapas country. To-day they and 
their descendants are among the healthiest, even vieing with the 
proverbially healthy Creole; they also occupy the front ranks 
socially and financially. So it will be no experiment for this 
section to have northern immigration, as it has been tried and 
has yielded the most satisfactory results and is willing to be 
tried again. 

Work can be done out of doors every week in the year, for 
neither the cold nor the heat are too intense. The negro is not 
the only one who toils in our fields and manufactories, for every- 
where can be seen the Creole and Acadian and the northern 
man working just as hard and standing the heat Just as well. 
The warmest weather I ever experienced was in northern Idaho 
Territory, when the thermometer registered 108° in the shade. 
In Ohio I have seen it KlOo during the day and not much lower 
at night. The air was close and stifling and one was in constant 
peril of being sunstruck, which is not the case in Louisiana. 
During the late heMie<l term, thermometers on the Tech*^ rose to 
95° at mid day nnrl at night went down into the seventies. With 
cool nights and refreshing sleep all were fortified for the labors 
of the day. The work in the field and factory was not inter- 
rupted and the heated brow was frequently fanned by the cool 
and balmy breez^'s fi'>m the Gulf of Mexico. 

Miu-summer secius to be the favorite season with our j^eople 
for pleasure iu the way of railroad and steamboat excursions, 
fairs, horse racing .a. I dancing. Our beautiful lakes and bays 
are v^ell adnpted fm- summer resorts. As a winter resort for rhe 
invalid and tourist, ouv locality has no superior, the climate 
beiug mellow and equable. No where have T seen more h;»le 
and hearty old i)eo[>lc, and to sum up our climate it is safe to 
say that we have the healthiest productive country in the world. 
The advantage;? for transportation are excellent, as the lakes^ 
bayous and rivers are navigable, besides having the very best 
railway connections. For manufacturing the advantages are 
also splendid, and although we have many manufactories, there 
is room plenty for more. (Applause.) 



170 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

ADDRESS OF MAJ. P. M. WELOH, 

of Alexandria, Natchitoches parish. La., formerly of St. Paul, 
Minn., which is as follows : 

Mr. Chairman^ Ladies and Gentlemen of the Convention — 
Having- bee>i appointed as a delegate representing tiio parish of 
Ibeiia, .1 -vill ciidfavor, t^ tlic bcK.t w.'. .v.j ..Lllll^, :. J., .. ^.^^.^na 
(Jes.'T'iption of that beautiful pnrish. Th'^ gard---' >f t or ..".j.rith- 
west, a land of refnge for home seekers, rich in the choicest gifts 
of nature : magnificent, agricultural, hoi-ticultural, maiiufacturing 
and business advantages. 

In the list of Louisiana parishes noted for their wonderful 
fertility and varied advantages, which makes them specially 
desirable locations for the founding of homes, for those seeking a 
congenial clime ; j)leasant, social relations and profitable occupa- 
tions. Iberia stands first. Indeed, this i^arish leads all others 
in the wonderful richness and beauty of the great Southwest. 

This parish is situated in the southwestern portion of the 
State, 118 miles from New Orleans, convenient to the markets of 
the great Southern metropolis and crossed by the Southern Pa- 
cific Eailroad, the great trans-continental line supplying conve- 
ident and cheap transportation from all portions of the country. 

It is watered by the River Teche, on which float the year 
round, three lines of large steamers, funiishiijg c niijimiuication 
by water direct to New Orleans, and which supplies an abundance 
of water for stock, the entire year. Besides this stream, are a 
number of smaller streams, and several of the most picturesque 
lakes to be found in the South. Bounded on the f^outh by the 
Mexican Gulf, the elevation of the land and the prairie stretching 
on to the shores of the Gulf ensure uninterrupted sweep of the 
delightful Gulf breezes, which temper the rays of the summer 
sun, and render the nights delightful. 

The lands of Iberia parish, are probably richer than in any 
other portion of the State and are adapted to a greater variety of 
crops and yield richer returns to the hands of industry. 

This country to a great extent is free from distressing mala- 
larial diseases dreaded by the home-seekers in the South ; an 
evidence of the healthfulness of this parish, is the fact that there 
are but six practicing i)hysicians with a population of over 20,000. 

The lands of this j)arish are of inexhaustible fertility, being 
entirely free from roots and rocks, the settler has only to tiu-n 
the soil with his i)low in order to secure a crop the first season. 

This land is adapted to the production of sugar cane, rice, 
sorghum, ramie, Jute, cotton, corn, oats and hay, and even with 



BUREAU OF IMMIOEATION. 171 

possible attention will yield from twenty to thirty tons of cane, 
one bale of cotton, fifty to seventy-five bushels of oats, fifty 
busliels of corn, and from two to four tons of hay to the acre. 

There is probably no portion of the T'nited States wliere 
fruits orow to jireater perfection, or areutjore siu^e of yieldinj^ 
than in Iberia parish. On these rich lands, the [>e«ich nourishes 

Rjiv.:ihir,c are sure factors in the production of tlie inf.r~t p^-i'f'^ct 
specimens of this luscious fruit, which in appearance and llavor 
is unsurpassed by the fruit of any portion of the world. 

The favorable soil and climate mature these fruits very early, 
and the convenient railroad communication enables the orchardist 
to put his fruit into the northern cities, far in advance of any 
other section, and enables him to command profitable pri(;es. 

Plums, figs, apricots, grapes, pears, quinces, oranges to some 
extent, indeed all orchard fruits except apples, are at home in 
this soil and climate, and grow to the greatest perfection, gaining 
a great advantage by their early ripening. 

Vegetables grow to perfection in these soils, and most of the 
vegetables can be cultivated through the year. Strawberries, 
dewberries, blackberries and rasijberries all grow luxuriantly. 

In these rich alluvial lands these fruits may be cultivated 
with the greatest ease, and the yield will be most abundant, and 
the situation will protect them from any sudden changes of the 
temperature, early in the season. 

Vegetable farming will be specially profitable in this parish, 
surrounded as it is with growing towns and with the cilies of 
New Orleans and Houston at its door. 

There are vast fortunes awaiting those who will devote a 
due amount of skill and. intelligence and industry to tbe ])roper 
cultivation of fruits and vegetables on these magnificent lands, 
and as an evidence of the i)rofits, which may be necessarily 
exijected from the business, it may be said that Kansas City, St. 
Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Chicago and even Milw tiukce, send 
thousands of dollars yearly to California for fruits. Tliese cities 
offer profitable markets for these products, as they can be deliv- 
ered so much cheaper and fresher than from California, and are 
far superior in quality. To the denizens of the frozen Nt^r+L .::nd 
West, this will prove anothei- Canaan where the sun seldom 
-ceases to shine, where the freezing blasts are tempered Lj the 
mild breath of the Gulf stream. 

The people are hospitable, generous, social, kind and obliging 
to strangers, always ready to assist and advise them. There is^ 
:an abundance of timber for ordinary purposes. (Loud applause.) 



172 STATE OP LOUISIANA. 



HON. A. DIMMICK, 

of Ojielousas, St. Landry parish, La., formerly of ( )]jawa, Iowa, 
spoke as follows : 

Ladies and Oentlenven — I have been selected to rej)resent the- 
largest parish in the State, that of St. Landry. It was one time 
considered the '■'■ Empire Parisli " of the State. 

It has lately been divided off, and our little sister parish^ 
Acadia, has been taken from it. We boast of having the finest- 
courthouse in the State ; we boast of excellent soil, as equal in 
fertility as Iowa lands, the State from which I came. We can 
raise corn and cotton, rice and hay. Our hay crops is considered 
the best in the State, and is certainly the finest I have seen. 

This year our land will yield three tons to the acre, and I 
am satisfied of it, because I have a large interest in it myself. A 
yield of three tons to the acre is using- up land pretty well. 
(Applause.) 

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I propose to say that I will close 
as I have nothing more of interest to say, and bid you good-bye. 
(Applause.) 

MA.T. D. J. WEDGE, 

(since deceased), of Clinton, East Feliciana parish, La., formerly 
of Denmark, N. Y., spoke as follows : 

Ladies and Gentlemen — 1 did not know how much good there 
was in the State until I came here to-day. Xow when Col. Moor- 
man first addressed me a letter asking my opinion as to the 
advisability of calling this ISTorthern Convention. I answeied 
rather shortly that there was no North or South and that I did 
not think it well to hold such a meeting, but now I see he wasij- 
correct in his views. 

I came to Louisiana in 1858, and settled in East Feliciana, 
and liave been there ever since, and I have had experience 
enough to know of what I'm speaking, when I say that Louisiana 
is without doubt one of tlie most healthy States in the Union, 
and for that matter one-of the healthiest sections in the world. 
(Applause.) Now we are here for the purpose of telling all about 
Louisiana, and I don't know but what I'm a mighty poor one to 
tell the wonderful possibilities stored up there in my parish, East 
Feliciana. (Apidause.) Now, gentlemen, we have superior ad- 
vantages. It is said that you can take a man and model him to 
your own liking, as some one said yesterday, but there is one 
thing you cannot do — you can never make a thrifty, energetic 
man out of an idle one. (Laughter and applause.) You can 
take a first-class Northern man and you can make a first-class 
Southern man and you can make a first-class Northern man. I 
hold that this country is the best in the world for one thing: 



BUREAU OF rSIMIGRATION. 173 



above all others and that is health. (Applause.) The reason 
this Convention will accomplish niiich ^ood, will be because it 
will do away with the belief that Louisiana is unhealthy. (Ap- 
plause.) Up North they think we have burning- hot weather, 
that no work can be done in the summer months. Only a short 
while ago I was sitting in an otifice in St. Paul, Minn., and I 
never saw such weather in this world, it was so hot that I could 
scarcel}^ draw my breath. I complained of the heat and some 
one said : "Wliere are you from f I answered, "From Lou- 
isiana," " from jthe South ; you don't mean to say that you live 
in Louisiana, and then complain of our Aveatherf Well, my 
friends I said, •' I have lived in East Feliciana parish for very 
nearly thirty years, and this is the hottest day I have ever expe- 
rienced ill all that time." (Cheers and applause.) The climate 
is probably unequaled. The average temperature in summer 
being 81° and 55° in winter. L don't know of any place on the 
globe where there are so many old ])eople as here in Louisiana. 
They don't die down here, they just blow away. (Laughter and 
applause.) A voice in the audience: ^'Tliey just dry up and 
blow away." Yes, sir, they just dry up and blow away, they 
don't go through putrefaction. (Applause.) 

Here in this country we don't have any excessive rains, ours 
fall throughout the entire year. Our soil is rich and fertile ; we 
raise sugar cane, rice, cotton, corn, and other products, with, 
little expense and abundant yields. One man raised four crops 
in one year on the same i^iece of ground ; first he planted it in 
Irish potatoes, then in corn, a second yield of corn, and lastly 
with cow peas. (Applause and cheers.) Sufficient has been said 
of stock farming to prove beyond a doubt, that Louisiana offers 
unparalleled advantages to the scientific stockman. No matter 
where settlers locate, whether in North Louisiana, West Louisiana, 
Eastern or Southern all alike presents almost everything that a 
man in any occupation could desire. (Applause.) Excepting 
doctors, as Mr. Dymond said, they don't seem to get along well; 
there's nothing for them to do. (Laughter and applause.) I 
believe that in a very little while there will be no more large 
X>lantations, but all be divided up into small farms and we will 
have a thrifty populatioii. You will let me state one thing more. 
In the addresses of welcome delivered yesterday by our Chief- 
Justice, Dr. Palmer and the other distinguished gentlemen, they 
extended welcomes to all. Louisiana wants men of intellect^ 
culture, and indurstrj^ ; brains alone, will stand forever, and 
hasten this fair land to its higher destiny. (Apijlause.) 

Louisiana, as well as any State in the Union will proudly 
claim a man born on no matter what soil, who can lift up his 
eyes to heaven and say he will be perfectly true to his country 



174 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



and do his duty, and liold to his opinions rightly formed. (Ap- 
plause.) 

I can stand on the shores of Lake Superior and say "I thank 
God this is my country." I can stand among the everglades of 
Elori<hi and say "I thank God this is my country." lean stand 
on the Cnlifornia coast wliose shores are laved by the Avaters of 
the hrr-^rl Pariflc Oc^an, and say "I thank God this is vw ."onn- 
trj'' — '.^nd any native or adoi»ted citizen of the I'nited States, 
(;an come here to Louisiana, stand on her soil, look over her fair 
lands and say "I thank God that this is my country." (Great 
applause.) 



PARTIAL LIST OF DELEGATES. 

Giving their former State and present residence in Louisiana. 

MrcHiGAJSf— Kasson Freeman, Jennings ; Fred Merrit, Crowley ; F. C. Cal- 
kins, Lake Charles ; John W. Stokar, Jeanerette. 

Mi:nnesota — F. B. Cutting, Jennings. L. S. Cutting, Ben. A. Taylor, Jen- 
nings ; L. L. Cuthon, Hammond ; Geo. H. Morse, Jennings ; F. F. Morse, 

C. E. Payson, Amite City; D. M. Tegaron, Jennings; J. A. Williams, 
Crowley; W. W. Garig, Baton Rouge; A. R. Burkdoll Crowley; E. 
M. Gallup, Hammond; Mrs. E. W. Gallup, Hammond; A. H. Reed, 
Lake Charles; F. M. "Welch, Geo. Whitworth, S. A. Pickett Crowley; 
Edw. Haine, Clinton. 

Dakota — J. M. Gould, Hammond; R. Mulleuger, Houma; Scott B. Hal- 
stead, Amite City; W. H. Bohner, Welsh; Fred. Arnold, Hammond; 
E. Gould, Hammond; D. M. Seaman, Kentwood; Dr. P. Lieber, Jen- 
nings; E. Henduckhim, P. E. Sandayez, Lydia; John Connolly. 

Wisconsin — N. A. Shroop, Mississippi City; A. B. Landphere, Hammond; 
Joel Clark, Hammond; A. S. Pinney, Jennings ; John L. Smith, Spring- 
field. 

Kansas — Jas. Close, Mammond; W. H. Booth, Hammond, Wm. Annstious, 
New Orleans; Henry Shamlaugh, Crowley; D. A. Clayton, Washing- 
ton; L. E. Robonson, Welsh; B. Booth Hammond; Edna Booth, 
Hammond; M. L. Bradley, Hammond; S. W. Ulead, Lake Charles; 
R. F. Brenting, Jr., New Orleans; L. A. Walker, New Orleans; Mrs. 
M. L. Bradley, Walter Bradley, Hammond; S. W. Meade, Lake Charles; 
R F. Bunting, Jr. 

Nkbraska — Mrs. R. F. .Jackson, Hammond; W. R. Larcom, Hammomi ; W. 

D. Larcom, Hammond ; H. H. Brunster, Hammond ; A. W. Patterson, 
Crowley; Mrs. J. M. Patterson, Crowley; I. J. Lack, Crowley. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION. 175 

Missouri — Judge J. M. Howell, Lafourche; H. S. Wilson, Thibodaux; 
Geo. Brown, Crowley; C. W. Knight, St. Bernard ; Malcolm McFalone, 
St. Francis ; Wm. F. Roche, Plaquemine. 

Illinois — D. M. Gnir, Jennings; L. Y. Cooley, Franklin; J. C. Cooley, 
Pontchatoulu; C. Terniyseu, New Orleans; Cha*^. 8. Johnson, Hammond; 
Mrs. C'. S. .Johnson, Hammond; Mrs. J>- G. Gamble, Hammont\; M.J. 
Strain, Hammond; Lena ijUitiu, juiiiimimd ; Ij. Gia.^cbrook, Haiamoud; 
Andri'W Mott, Hammond; Mr.s. D. Mott, Hammond; John L. Mott, Ham- 
mond; Grace Mott, Hammond; \V. R. Smith, Hammond; P. N. Davis, 
Pontchatonla; O. B. Irish, Hammond; B. F. Sannders, Hammond; Wina- 
low Howard, Hammond; R. F. Patterson, Baton Rougo; A. A. Roberts, 
Welcome; Chas Griffin, Hanmiond; A. C. Spauiding, Hammond; Miss 
M. J. Pattcr.sou, Baton Rouge; John A. Welsh, Tick Fall; G. W. Patter- 
son, Lake Charles; Geo. W. Massey, Kentwood ; Josiah Hurty, Hands- 
boro; J. A. Kinder, Lake Charles; Mrs. A. E. Austin, Haud.sboro; H. 
McCuUoch. Kentwood; .7. H. Gary, Hamminid; G. W. Overton, Ham- 
mond; Willie Durkce, Hammond; G. O. McCiilley, Hammond; Wm. H. 
Wilson, Hammond; G. W. Ma.son, Covington; Geo. W. Massey, Kent- 
wood; A. Wilson, Elizabeth St. Clair, Hammond. 

Iowa — Geo. B. Spencer, Jennings; Wilber P. Spencer, .Jennings; S. Decatur 
Lucas, Delhi; W. J. Danghenbaugh, Jennings; Mrs. W. J. Daughen- 
baugh, Jennings; S. S. Patten, New Orleans; S Cooper, Jennings; O. B* 
Jenkins, Jennings; M. C. Jenkins, Jenning.s; Mrs. S. Coop,s, Jennings; 
Josiah Hulbert, Jennings; Addie Gardner, Jennings; Mrs. W. Daniels, 
Jennings: J. Norton, Jennings; A.«B. Goodrich, Crowley; John W. Car- 
ver, Welsh; Mrs. G. W. Remage, Jennings; Jennie Allen, Jennings; A. 
Dimmick, Opelousas; Jas. Maund, Jennings; E. M. Powers, Welsh; O. 
Fulton, Welsh; E. P. Crane, Welsh; G. D. Moore, Welsh; N. Prentice, 
Welsh; N. D. Kelly, Welsh; L. L. Morse. Jennings; Mrs. L. L. Morse, 
Jennings; J. D. Ellsworth, Kentwood; E. D. Martin, Baldwin; P. E. 
Olmsted. Hammond; Chas. Bacon, Hammond; Mrs. J. M. Bacon, Ham- 
mond; Archy Bacon, Hammond; G. S. Norton, Crowley; F. D. June, 
Hammond; Ralph June, Hammond; E. E. June. Hammond; A. Thomson, 
Lake Charles; S. A. Knapp, Lake Charles; P. H. Philbrick, Lake Charles; 
C. D.^Otis, Shell Beach; N. S. Craig, A. B. McConnell, Welsh; Chas. L. 
Cooper, Jennings; S. D. Carpenter, Plaquemine; Mrs. R. W. Carjienter, 
Plaquemine; W. H. Nichelson, Crowley; E. J. Coffin, Jennings; W. M. 
Young, Hammond; S. R. Shear, Jennings; Peter Newcomer, Jennings; J. 

B. Magruder, Baton Rouge; Chas. McConkey, Jeniungs; L. Grant, Ham- 
mond; G. W^. Robinson, Hammond; J. W. Gleason, Plaquemine; Mrs. V. 

C. Moore, Hammond; C. S. Babcock, Hammond; F. D. June, Hammond; 
Wm. M. Taylor, Hammond; Wm. Gregg, St. Bernard; R. D. Manardj 



176 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

Independence; Wui. Carey, Jennings; 8. D. Oary, Jennings; W. F. 
Daniels, Jennings; R. D, Mandro, Charles Bacon, Miss M. J, Patterson^ 
Bfiton Rouge. 

New YoiiK — D. J. Wedge, Clinton; ^'. M. Purdy. Lake F'rovidence; P. Bntler, 
Eiehland; Jas B. Wands, Areola; W. II. Rugan, Thibodanx; .S. J. Lacy, 
Washington: Henry Garden, Jennings; W. C. Welsh, New Iberia; Steven 
Tillotson, Hammond; C. E. Wagner, Kent wood; Rufus Smith, Kent- 
Avood; B. F. Morris, Clinton; A. B. Payne, Clinton; G. W. Acker, Kent- 
wood; R. W. Kinckerbockber, New Orleans; John J. Casbey, Pontcha- 
toula; Henry Whorten, Baton Rouge; F. G. Burbauk, St. Martinsville; 
J. W. Miller, New Orleans; M. C. Cole, New (Orleans; ,f. C. Wilkins, 
New Iberia; W. G. Hall, Kentwood, Geo. W. Rapen New Orleans; Y. 
W. Jones. 

New Jersey — John B. Marsh, St Mary; J. M. Williams, Pla(|uemine. 

Pennsyi>vania — Jas. A. Stuart, Lake Charles; Wm. Lousa, New Ibera; H. 
F. Lawler, St. Bernard; Wm. Soards, New Iberia. 

Kentucky — Jas. Janes, Thibodanx; R. H. Garrett, New Orleans; John Mc- 
Connick, Lake Charles; L. I. Borgus, Hauunond; F. H. Feahau, Amite 
City; E. S. Cobb, Hannnond; R. Corbin, Hammond; John O. Corbin, M. 

B. Corbin, Hammond; Geo. Moorman, New Orleans. 
North Carolina — E. H. Davis, Lake Providence. 

Ohio — G. W. Renage, Jennings; J. R.- Russell, Washington; H. (relbert, 
Jennings; Chas. Imderstrodt, Jennings; John F. White, New Iberia^ 
Watson Jones, Jefferson; Henry A. Childs, New Iberia; Jennings H. 
White, New Iberia; John Robinson, Crowley; C C. Roberts, Abbeville^ 
M. H. Lewis, Geo. C. Neelis, Hammond; John H. Roberts, Jennings; 

C. H. Genslinger. New Orleans; G. G. Walker, Centerville; Junius 
W^hite. 

Indiana — Phil. McGuire, Lake Providence; L. Spalding Welsh, J. S. Wil- 
liams, Lake Charles; E D. Tomlinson, Jennings; J. A. Brookshier, Ab- 
beville; J.nS. Hawkins, New Orleans: W. R. Williamson, Lake Charles; 
J. C. Galey, Baton Rouge; May Holder, BatoA Rouge; F. Holder, Baton 
Rouge; Chas. Holder, Baton Rouge; S. T. Grisamore, Thibodanx, J. Q. 
Reynolds, New Orleans; Robt. Ridgway, New Orleans; Sam'l M Todd, 
NcAv Orleans; S. D. Duckworth, Amite City; Ephraim D Tomlinson. 

Louisiana — Jos E. Raudell, Lake Providence; T P. Gruydau, Shell Beach; 
John Derks, Jennings; J. E. Johnson, Poplar Grove; Rev A. Mechaulf, 
Abbeville; E. Dechamps, Shell Beach; A. P. Pujo, Lake Charles; M. 
Holder, Baton Rouge; E. Dechamps. Jr . Shell Hoach. 

Texas — Judson Harris, Jennings: W. F. Phifer, Jennings; M. L Vincent, 
Welsh; Mrs. Judson Harris, Jennings. 



BUREAU OF IManGKATlON. 177 

Virginia — \V. A Johnston, Hoyce; (Jeo. J. Uauiisoy, Clinton, W. W. Garland, 

Ainite City; 1). E. Quirk, New Orleans; V. A. Johnson, New Orleans; T. 

I). Cook, Washington. 
Massaoih.sktt!? — H. V. Gooiiwin, Washington; W. H. Haskell, Lake Charles; 

Rev. U. V. Hitchcock, New Orleans; Ij. .1. Zevr, New Orleans; E. H. 

Wheeler, New Orleans. 
Maim: — J. K. Small, Now Orleans. 

Nkw HAAiPsim!K — C. E. Cate, Hanunond. J. D. AVilconib, Hammond. 
Vk.J{mi>N'1' — John W. Austin, Plaquemine, 
CoNNi'Xrnci'i- — L. H Terry, New Orleans. 
Washinotox — Welnian Bradford, Kayue. 
Maryland — W. H. Drurj-, New Orleans. 
MississiPPi-^R. W. Miisgrove, Natchez; J. A. Peissac, Natchez; J. 1). Malone, 

Liberty. 
COLORAiK) — Richard A. I'omeroy, New Iberia; Beiij, Dew, Jennings. 
South Caiiolixa — L. L. Levy, New Orleans. 

Austria — Max Stockner, Lake Providence; Anthony Cogozegh, New Orleans. 
Ireland — Hugh McGuire, Lake Provideiue. 
Wales — John L. Davis, Tangipahoa. 

Lo^fDON — Edward Parker, New Orleans; 'i\ L. Yolz, Clinton. 
Franck — F. Saucay, Thibodaux; John Abbordie, St. James. 
Florida — H. H, Baker. 

Over 250 delegates failed to rcn ister their iiiunes. 



]78 STATE OP LOUISIANA. 



NAMES AJSD TPtESENT ADDEESS OF DELEGATES 
Whose speeches at the Mid- Summer Convention are here given. 



PROF. S. A. KNArP, Lake Charles, La. 

CHIEF-JUSTIC]-: EDWARD BERMUDEZ, . . . . . 

HON. J08EPH A. SHAKESPEARE, .... New Orleans, La. 

HON .T. M. HOWELL, . . 

REV. R. Y. PATTERSON, Baton Rougo, La. 

MR. ROBERT RIDGEWAY, . . . Arabi, St. Beruard Parish, La. 

HON. E. BOURNE, Abbeville, La. 

MR. J. H. KEYSER, Bellevue, La. 

MR. W. H. TUNNARD, Natchitoches, La. 

HON. .lOHN DYMOND, .^ New Orleans, La. 

COL. 8. L. CAREY, ....... Jennings, La. 

MR. ROBERT MULLENGER, . Houma, La. 

PROF. S. DECATUR LUCAS, Mincfeu, La. 

HON. JOHN W. AUSTIN, Plaquemine, La. 

MR. A. R. BURKDOLL, Crowley, La. 

MAJ. RICHARD A. POMEROY, .... New Orleans, La. 

MAJ. F. M. WELCH, Alexandria, La. 

HON. A. DIMMICK, . . . . . . . . Oijelous^s, La. 

MAJ. D. J. WEDGE, Dead. 

DR. J. I>. GRAYBILL, New Orleans, La. 

MR. WILLIAM P. STEWART, New York, N. Y. 



BUREAU OF IMMIGEATION. 179 



CONCLUSION. 



In these pages I have endeavored to give nothing but facts, 
with the statements of most reliable and jirominent men, and 
give their present postoffice addresses. 

If any errors appear, it is owing to oversight. Most of the 
testijaony, as to health and climate is from statistics and the 
statements of i)rominent physicians and professional men, who 
are not Louisianians but are natives of other States. That the 
people of the State are sincere in extending an invitation to 
immigrants, is shown by the eiibrts made to encourage it. The 
pamphlets are printed and distributed at the expense of the State. 

The statements of numerous adopted citizens, as to their 
own experience since they came to the State, ought to convince 
any one of the sincerity of our people. These people by their 
own statements show that they have prospered and are satisfied 
since they c ime to Louisiana and speak in the highest terms ot 
the advantages of the State. 

The statements of some of the most prominent men of the 
North and East, who have visited the State, are all in praise of 
the various advantages of Louisiana, and they show a surprise 
at the prosperity, which they witnessed after coming here. 

The reason for the efforts that are made to induce people 
from other States to come to Louisiana, is plain and evident to 
all who live in the State and are familiar with the condition of 
affairs before and after the war. There has always been a large 
amount ot uncultivated land in the State, and since the war, 
owing to various causes, such as the complete overthrow of the 
old labor system, together with the financial condition of the 
people and the continued political struggles, a large amount of 
lands, which had been in cultivation, was throsvn out, the owners 



SEP 19 I90Q 

180 STATE OF LOUISIANA. 

having neither the means nor labor to cultivate them. But now 
the political troubles are settled and the people have been able 
to give their time to their i^rivate affairs and are gradually recov- 
ering. They see the advantages of a good class of immigrants 
coming to the State, as a number have already settled here, and 
in every instance not only the immigrants themselves but the 
old residents, natives of the State, have prospered and the lands 
increased in value. 

The people could see that by selling a portion of their lands 
at cheap rates, with favorable terms for paying, that the occu- 
pation of these lands by industrious people would enhance the 
value of other property which the old owners still retained. 

The Governor of the State has always been the most earnest 
advocate of the movement and he never omits an opportunity to 
speak in its favor. 

That a steady immigration has been coming to the State for 
several years is clear from the statements given by those who 
hkve come here and that all have been benefitted in every way 
wherever these new citizens have settled. 

The people of Louisiana say to all who come here to make 
this State their future home, that they will receive from native 
and adopted citizen a most cordial welcome. 




prescntori by Howard renoriaJ T i>rai 



An Invitation to Immigrants. 



LOUISIANA; 



IT.S i'KODUCTS, SOIL A^D CLIMATE, 



AS SHOWN BY 



Northern and Western Men, 



W^HO NOW RESIDE I ]M THIS STATE 



Published by the Bureau of Immigration. 



BATON ROUGE: 

IJIE ADVOCATE, OlFIC'IAL JOURNAL OF .LOUISIANA . 
18!I4. 



